Solidago simplex, July 9, 2020
Common & scientific name
Sticky goldenrod, Solidago simplex
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Roadside near Lincoln turnoff, 9,700’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
The only sure-fire method of distinguishing this from the other common goldenrod on the Pass, Solidago multiradiata, is to look at the petioles (the leaf stems) to see if they are ciliate-margined (have hairs sticking straight out on their edges). This species also comes in a smaller, alpine version, S. simplex var. nana (photo below).
Solidago simplex var. nana, July 17, 2020