Solidago missouriensis

Solidago missouriensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Missouri goldenrod and prairie goldenrod. It is native to North America, where it is widespread across much of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It grows from British Columbia east to Manitoba, south as far as Sonora, Coahuila, Texas, and Mississippi.

Description

A perennial goldenrod reaching 1.2 m tall with 0.6 m spread, hardy to UK zone 7. Flowers July to September with seeds ripening August to October. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils (including heavy clay) across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soil. Notable for attracting wildlife.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked — added to salads or used as a potherb. A very good tea is made from dried leaves and dried, fully expanded flowers.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten raw and older leaves are cooked as a vegetable. The dried leaves and dried open flowers are used for tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry prairies. It suits hardiness zone 4.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil. The plant attracts various beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to the garden, these insects will help to control insect pests in the garden.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, barely covering it and keeping the compost moist. Prick out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on through the first winter in pots. Plant out into permanent positions in spring or early summer. Divide in spring or autumn; larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions. Smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer.

Other Uses

Mustard, orange, and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.

Notes

There are about 100 Solidago species.

References (9)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 42
• Jackes, D. A., 2007, Edible Forest Gardens
• J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 7:32. 1834
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 828

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