Solidago californica Nutt.
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native
California Goldenrod
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Solidago californica Nutt.Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)Native
California Goldenrod
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September Photo
Plant Characteristics: Perennial,
stems 2-12 dm. high, they and the lvs. densely cinereous-puberulent; basal and
lower cauline lvs. spatulate to obovate or oval, obtuse to acute, attenuate to
base, firm, crenate, or serrate, 5-12 cm. long, 1-3.5 cm. wide, the upper
cauline much reduced; elliptic, entire, sessile; infl. mostly a narrow dense
thyrse, sometimes more open; invol. 3-4.5 mm. high; phyllaries narrowly oblong
to lance-linear, sharply acute to obtuse, puberulent or glabrous; ray-fls. 8-13,
fertile, yellow; disk-fls. 4-12, yellow, perfect, fertile; aks. hispidulous;
pappus copious, setose, whitish.
Habitat: Common in dry or
moist fields below 8000 ft.; from Coastal Sage Scrub to Yellow Pine F.;
cismontane and montane, n. L. Calif. to Ore; rare in desert region like N.Y.
Mts. July-Oct.
Name: Latin, solidus, whole, and the suffix -ago,
from its reputed medicinal value. (Munz,
Flora So. Calif. 228).
Californica, of Calif. (Dale 13).
General: Rare in the study
area, having been found only in upper Big Canyon.
(my comment).
This is a native species known to Spanish-Californians as "Orojo de Liebre."
It is widespread on the west side of the Sierra Nevada, from low
altitudes up to 4000-5000 feet; in dry situations.
Sheep have been known to be poisoned by eating the green or dried plants
of goldenrod species. (Robbins et al. 497,498).
The Cahuilla, Indians of the Colorado Desert, the San Jacinto and San
Bernardino Mountains, used California goldenrod in making a hair rinse and as a
medicine in feminine hygiene.
Indians boiled leaves and used a decoction to wash on wounds and ulcers,
then sprinkled powdered leaves on wounds. The
same remedy was used for saddle sores on horses.
A yellow dye was also made. Spanish
Americans used the fresh plant mixed with soap for a plaster to bind on sore
throats. (Sweet 60). The leaves of S.
odora, have been used to disguise the taste of medicinal herbs.
It is aromatic, moderately stimulant and carninative when cold.
(Meyer 53).
A large genus. (Munz, Flora So. Calif.
228).
Text Ref: Hickman, Ed. 343;
Munz, Flora So. Calif. 228.
Photo Ref: Sept-Jan 90,91 #
8,9,10.
Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson
Computer Ref: Plant Data 409.
Have plant specimen.
Last edit 10/21/02.
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