Why ciliate margined petioles matter

Solidago simplex, July 4, 2023

Common & scientific name

Sticky goldenrod, Solidago simplex

Family

Sunflower, Asteraceae

Location

North Halfmoon, 10,500’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

The only sure-fire method of distinguishing this from the other look-a-like 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 plant does not.