Solidago sciaphila facts for kids

Solidago sciaphila is a special plant known as shadowy goldenrod or cliff goldenrod. It gets its names because it often grows in shady places and on rocky cliffs! This plant is a type of goldenrod, which are well-known for their bright yellow flowers.

About Shadowy Goldenrod

Shadowy goldenrod is a unique plant that grows in specific areas of the United States. It's a type of flower that belongs to the goldenrod family. It can look a bit like other goldenrod plants, such as Solidago speciosa. However, shadowy goldenrod often has more jagged edges on its lower and middle leaves. It is also usually smaller, especially when it grows in shallow soil on cliffs. Very small shadowy goldenrod plants might look similar to Solidago hispida.

Where Shadowy Goldenrod Lives

This plant is found only in certain areas. It grows along the bluffs of the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota. You can also find it in parts of southwestern Wisconsin, northern Iowa, and Illinois. These areas are sometimes called the "driftless area" because they were not flattened by glaciers long ago.

Shadowy goldenrod loves to grow on rocky cliffs. It especially likes places with dolomite and sandstone bedrock. These are types of rock that make up the cliffs where it thrives.

When It Blooms and Fruits

Shadowy goldenrod flowers bloom in late summer and early fall. You can see its yellow flowers from late August through late September. After the flowers bloom, the plant starts to produce seeds. This process, called fruiting, happens throughout September.

Protecting This Plant

Shadowy goldenrod is a very important plant. Because it only grows in specific places, it is considered rare. In Wisconsin and Minnesota, it is listed as a "Special Concern" species. This means people are worried about its future. In Illinois, it is considered "threatened," which is an even more serious concern.

One thing that can harm this plant is rock climbing. When people climb on the cliffs where it lives, they can accidentally damage the plants. Protecting these special places helps keep shadowy goldenrod safe for the future.