Official Kentucky State Flower

Goldenrod

(Solidago spp.)

Adopted in 1942.

The State flower is the Goldenrod, Solidago spp. It was adopted in 1942. The Goldenrod is a beautiful and hearty plant is happy to move to a decorative place no other plants want to be. It is often blamed for allergies in Kentucky, but the Goldenrod is actually harmless. The allergic reactions Kentuckians experience are due to the Ragweed which blooms at the same time and grows in the same areas.

The golden plumes of this wildflower line Kentucky's roadsides in the fall. Native to all of Kentucky, 30 of nearly 100 species of this herb are found here.

The large number of species and variations make this genus very difficult resolve to the species. The Goldenrods as a group are well know and very common turning fallow fields and meadows yellow every fall. Goldenrods are mostly an American genus with the greatest number of species found in the Southeastern U.S.

• Plant Type: This is a Native herbaceous plant perennial forb. Ususlly erect and often tall.
• Leaves: The leaves are alternate. Most leaves are toothed but a few species have entire leaves.
• Flowers: Blooms July-October. The flowers have numerous parts. They are yellow sometimes white. Blooms first appear in mid summer and continue into mid fall. The center and rays are yellow. The rays are few, seldom more than ten. Groups of flowers are often clustered on the top edge of branches near or at the top of the plant.
• Habitat: Various
• Range: Most all of North America