Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Account for Sweet Goldenrod - Solidago odora   Aiton
Members of Asteraceae:
Members of Solidago with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Order Asterales » Family Asteraceae
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AuthorAiton
DistributionThroughout the state; undoubtedly occurs in every county.

NH to OH and MO, south to FL and TX.
AbundanceCommon over most of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont; fairly common in the Mountains. Scarce in the far eastern counties, though not obviously absent anywhere in the state.
HabitatDry to xeric or mesic soils of Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass savannas, pea swales, sandhills, pine-oak-hickory woodlands, forest trails and openings, fields, glades, rocky ridges. Responds favorably to fire.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting late July-October.
IdentificationA rather easy species to identify, Sweet Goldenrod has erect to leaning stems with many lance-shape, taper-pointed, entire, stalkless leaves. The plant is glabrous. The inflorescence is terminal and narrowly triangular in outline. Note the licorice or anise scent of crushed leaves; some other goldenrods also possess this but not so potent. This is a frequently seen goldenrod in dry areas in most parts of the state; the smooth stem and entire, shiny leaves are quite distinctive.
Taxonomic CommentsNone

Other Common Name(s)Licorice Goldenrod, Anise Goldenrod, Anise-scented Goldenrod
State RankS5
Global RankG5
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US Status
USACE-agcp
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B.A. SorrieRichmond County, 2010, Sandhills Game Land, dry-xeric longleaf-wiregrass. RichmondPhoto_natural
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