Solidago multiradiata
Encyclopedia
Solidago multiradiata is a species of goldenrod
known by the common names Rocky Mountain goldenrod, northern goldenrod, and alpine goldenrod. It is native to North America, where it can be found throughout the northern regions, including most all of Canada and Alaska
, including territory within the Arctic Circle
. Its distribution extends through the western United States, where it is known mostly from the subalpine
and alpine climate
s of high mountain ranges. Its habitat includes tundra
and mountain meadows. This is a perennial herb producing one or more decumbent or erect stems from a branching caudex
. The stems vary in maximum length or erect height from 3 to 80 centimeters. The leaves are linear or lance-shaped, sometimes narrowing quite a bit at the bases to become spoon- or spatula-shaped. They measure up to 20 centimeters long at the base of the plant, and are smaller farther up the stem. They are mostly hairless but may have hairs lining the toothed or serrated edges. The inflorescence
is a cluster of several flower heads
, with clusters containing up to 100 heads. Each flower head contains many yellow disc florets and many narrow yellow ray florets each 3 or 4 millimeters long. The fruit is an achene
a few millimeters in length. It is coated in rough hairs and usually has a pappus
on the tip.
The plant has been noted to be among the first species to resprout after oil spill
s in Alaska. It is used there for revegetation
projects.
Goldenrod
Solidago, commonly called goldenrods, is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Most are herbaceous perennial species found in the meadows and pastures, along roads, ditches and waste areas in North America. There are also a few species native to Mexico, South...
known by the common names Rocky Mountain goldenrod, northern goldenrod, and alpine goldenrod. It is native to North America, where it can be found throughout the northern regions, including most all of Canada and Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, including territory within the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
. Its distribution extends through the western United States, where it is known mostly from the subalpine
Subalpine
The subalpine zone is the biotic zone immediately below tree line around the world. Species that occur in this zone depend on the location of the zone on the Earth, for example, Snow Gum in Australia, or Subalpine Larch, Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir in western North America.Trees in the...
and alpine climate
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
s of high mountain ranges. Its habitat includes tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
and mountain meadows. This is a perennial herb producing one or more decumbent or erect stems from a branching caudex
Caudex
A caudex is a form of stem morphology appearing as a thickened, short, perennial stem that is either underground or near ground level . It may be swollen for the purpose of water storage, especially in xerophytes...
. The stems vary in maximum length or erect height from 3 to 80 centimeters. The leaves are linear or lance-shaped, sometimes narrowing quite a bit at the bases to become spoon- or spatula-shaped. They measure up to 20 centimeters long at the base of the plant, and are smaller farther up the stem. They are mostly hairless but may have hairs lining the toothed or serrated edges. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a cluster of several flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
, with clusters containing up to 100 heads. Each flower head contains many yellow disc florets and many narrow yellow ray florets each 3 or 4 millimeters long. The fruit is an achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
a few millimeters in length. It is coated in rough hairs and usually has a pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
on the tip.
The plant has been noted to be among the first species to resprout after oil spill
Oil spill
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is mostly used to describe marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters...
s in Alaska. It is used there for revegetation
Revegetation
Revegetation is the process of replanting and rebuilding the soil of disturbed land. This may be a natural process produced by plant colonization and succession, or an artificial , accelerated process designed to repair damage to a landscape due to wildfire, mining, flood, or other cause...
projects.