Above: Goldenrod photos taken September 4, 2018 in University of Wisconsin Arboretum retaining pond.
Goldenrod - Solidago
Goldenrod is a genus of about 100 to 120 species of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. Most are herbaceous perennial species found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and savannas.
There are about 20 species of Goldenrods known to grow in Wisconsin (8-10 of them are fairly common). This plant is often wrongly blamed for August hayfever.
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), is the most abundant species in Wisconsin.
Other names for (Solidago canadensis): Canadian goldenrod, common goldenrod
Above: Goldenrod surrounding retaining pond in UW Arboretum retaining pond on August 31, 2018.
For more information on Canada Goldenrod, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin website at: Common Goldenrod.
Goldenrod
Solidago
Above: Goldenrod in UW Arboretum (8/15/18).
Above: Goldenrod in UW Arboretum Oak Savanna (8/19/18)
Above: Goldenrod in UW Arboretum Oak Savanna (8/20/20)
Above: Goldenrod in UW Arboretum Oak Savanna (8/31/18)
Above: Goldenrod Soldier Beetles on Goldenrod in Oak Savanna (9/01/20)
Above: Goldenrod in UW Arboretum (9/06/18)
Above: At first one might think this is a species of Goldenrod because of the branches stemming around a rosette. However, this is called a flower gall, rosette gall or bunch gall. It is formed when a gall fly lays an egg in a leaf bud. When the egg hatches, the grub somehow keeps the stem from growing; but, does not seem to hurt the plant or prevent it from flowering.
Above: Goldenrod fluff on shore of Lake Wingra on (11/17/20)
Above: Goldenrod fluff on shore of Lake Wingra on (11/29/20)
Above: Goldenrod fluff near Marion Dunn Pond in Madison, Wisconsin on (11/24/21)
That I can positively identify.
Above: Stiff Goldenrod in Thoreau Rain Garden on (9/08/18)
Above: Showy Goldenrod in UW Arboretum near visitor's center (9/30/20)
Above: Zigzag (Broad-leaved) Goldenrod in Thoreau Rain Garden (9/20/20)
Above: Goldenrod illustration by Alice Lounsberry circa 1899.