Elm-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia)
Elm-leaved goldenrod is a keystone plant—part of a genus that supports over 100 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars, making it vital to the food web that sustains birds and other wildlife. Caterpillars are among the most important foods for nesting birds. In bloom, this powerful perennial also draws a wide array of native bees, along with flies, wasps, and nectar-seeking beetles. Its seeds feed birds like eastern goldfinches and tree sparrows, and its presence in woodland edges contributes to the layered architecture that shelters countless other species. Though often overlooked, S. ulmifolia is a cornerstone of late-summer ecology.
Elm-leaf goldenrod typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet, occasionally reaching up to 4 feet. Its small, yellow flowers form dense clusters along arching stems, with each flower head measuring about 1/8 inch across. The leaves are thin, coarsely toothed, and resemble those of an elm tree. The lower leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches wide, ovate to lanceolate in shape with serrated margins. As they ascend the stem, the leaves become smaller and more lance-shaped. Elm-leaf goldenrod thrives in a variety of habitats, including mesic to upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs, edges of limestone glades, partially shaded riverbanks, and thickets. It prefers light shade to partial sun and can tolerate moist to somewhat dry soil.
Source list (with spaces between entries)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Endangered Resources Program
UW–Madison Herbarium – Wisconsin State Herbarium Species Accounts
Flora of Wisconsin – Solidago ulmifolia Species Page
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database – Solidago ulmifolia Profile
NatureServe Explorer – Solidago ulmifolia Conservation Status
Minnesota Wildflowers – Solidago ulmifolia Description
Illinois Wildflowers – Solidago ulmifolia Ecological Notes
Prairie Moon Nursery – Solidago ulmifolia Species Profile
Prairie Nursery – Elm-leaf Goldenrod Species Description
Tallgrass Prairie Center – Woodland and Savanna Plant Ecology
Butterflies and Moths of North America – Host Plant Records for Solidago Species
Xerces Society – Pollinator Use of Late-Season Woodland Plants
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