... a continuation of the study and comparison of our local goldenrod species started last autumn. As its name implies, Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) is indeed an early bloomer and by the time I decided to see what's out there in terms of species of Solidago it was way too late to get any photos of this flower.
Early Goldenrod prefers sunny, dry, open fields.
This is the first of the goldenrods to flower; the photos of the flower buds below were taken in late June.
Another characteristic of this goldenrod is that the basal leaves – quite large basal leaves, and lots of them – are present when the plant is flowering.
A look at the stem and stem leaves.
By July 2nd a few of the petals are unfolding ...
... and on July 6th – voila! – the flowers are open.
Early Goldenrod grows to a height of about 150 cm.
Coming up next – Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea). Which doesn't bloom all that "late", in fact, it's next in line after Early Goldenrod and actually flowers before Canada Goldenrod and the other autumnal Solidago.
