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Carolina Grass-leaved Goldenrod Euthamia caroliniana

Previously known as:

  • Euthamia microcephala
  • Euthamia microphylla
  • Euthamia minor
  • Euthamia tenuifolia
  • Euthamia tenuifolia var. tenuifolia
  • Solidago caroliniana
  • Solidago microcephala
  • Solidago microphylla
  • Solidago minor
  • Solidago tenuifolia
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-THAY-mee-uh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
Description

Slender Goldentop is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family found in the coastal and, more rarely, in the Piedmont areas of North Carolina. Its native habitat is moist to wet areas in boggy edges, ditches, roadsides, poorly drained areas, and open woodlands. The plant has a fine texture. grass-like leaves with tiny dots, and soft yellow flowers with a long bloom season from late summer to early winter. It is readily identified by its multi-branched inflorescence of hundreds of very small flower heads and abundant, skinny leaves. It is a favorite of our native bees. Slender Goldentop spreads by rhizomes to form attractive clumps, although it can become weedy if ignored.

Slender Goldentop tolerates most soils, except dry ones, prefers acidic and sandy environments, and will grow in full sun to partial shade. To encourage blossoms, remove spent flowers. It can be best used in naturalized areas, native/pollinator gardens, or at the edges of ponds, streams, bogs.

The Goldenrod family has been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever. Hay fever is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from ragweed.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems, although leaf rust can be an occasional problem. Divide every 2 to 3 years to control growth.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#winter interest#fall interest#NC native#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#winter interest#fall interest#NC native#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euthamia
    Species:
    caroliniana
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and Northeastern United States, including North Carolina
    Distribution:
    AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , VA , WI , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees and butterflies. Bees suck nectar or collect pollen. A special value for native bees.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae), although it is often, incorrectly, described as an achene.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers bloom from August to December. Tiny, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom from late summer to early winter, borne in dense, erect, flat-topped terminal clusters atop stiff, broad-leaved, hairy stems.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Basel leaves are small, narrow, and look a little like grass. They have one vein and also resin dots. There are alternate and basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are 1-3 feet tall, branched above the middle, angled, and glabrous or pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Deer
    Drought