Flower profile
Goldenrods
Solidago
Goldenrods is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Kentucky it's most often seen in bloom in August–October.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Kentucky
Quick look
Solidago, commonly called goldenrod, is a genus of about 100 to 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Most are herbaceous perennial species found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and savannas. They are mostly native to North America, including Mexico; a few species are native to South America and Eurasia.
- It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 7 states. USDA PLANTS
- In Kentucky, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,255 research-grade sightings of it in Kentucky, ranking #35 among the 110 flowers on our Kentucky list. iNaturalist
Goldenrods gift ideas
Handmade goldenrods gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Goldenrods art print
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Goldenrods greeting card
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Goldenrods mug
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Goldenrods earrings
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Goldenrods embroidery pattern
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Goldenrods sticker
When does it bloom?
In Kentucky, most flowering sightings come in August–October.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe
- Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe
- Kentucky
- n/a Kentucky's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. 400 KAR 3:040
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension notes: “Young leaves are edible. The plant is also used to make herbal teas.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records goldenrods in 7 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island.
More Kentucky flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile SOAS2.
- iNaturalist, Solidago: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Solidago (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- KRS § 2.090: Kentucky state flower.
- Kentucky: Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026).
- Kentucky: Kentucky noxious weeds and invasive plants on state rights-of-way (KRS 176.051; species list from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: John Abrams via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.