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Common Name: Stiff Goldenrod

General Information

Solidago rigida is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Georgia, west to Alberta and New Mexico.

Habitat

Dry or gravelly open woods, thickets and prairies[]. Prairies, glades, oak savannas, dry open areas especially on calcareous soils, disturbed grounds from sea level to 400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves and blossoms are antiseptic, astringent and styptic[, ]. A valuable remedy in the treatment of all kinds of haemorrhages[]. The flowers have been ground into a lotion and used to treat bee stings[, ].
An oil obtained from the plant (is this an essential oil?) is diuretic[].
The root is cathartic and diuretic[]. A decoction of the root has been used as an enema[]. An infusion has been used to restore the flow of urine[].

Other Uses

A good quality rubber can be made from a latex that is obtained from the leaves[, ].
Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.