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Common Name: Coast Goldenrod

General Information

Solidago spathulata is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western N. America - California to Oregon.

Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats from coastal sand dunes to inland and alpine areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 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. Judging by the plants native habitat, it is likely to be tolerant of maritime exposure[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
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

Leaves and flowering stems - cooked[].
Seed - used as a thickener in soups etc[]. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest[].
A tea is made from the leaves and flowers[].

Medicinal

The flowering stems are antiseptic, haemostatic and salve[, ]. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic[]. A poultice of the toasted, powdered leaves has been mixed with oil and used in the treatment of mumps[].

Other Uses

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.