Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Asterales>Asteraceae>Chrysoma pauciflosculosa (Michaux) Greene

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

This low evergreen shrub, rare north of Florida, reaches its northern range in North Carolina. Formerly known as Solidago pauciflosculosa, this goldenrod is one of only a few woody shrubs in the Compositae (Asteraceae) in our area.

Woody Goldenrod, which grows in xeric open sandhill woodlands, has only been found in one county in North Carolina (Robeson) and one in South Carolina (Lexington).

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

The evergreen oblong leaves are thickened, glabrous, and grayish-green.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

The midrib is prominent on the underside of the leaves, not apparent above.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Panicles of bright yellow flowers appear in September and continue until frost.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

The freely-branched shrubs reach a height of about a meter.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Like other members of the Composite family, Woody Goldenrod nutlets are topped by a pappus, composed of hairlike modified sepals, which serves to carry the seeds in the wind. The nutlets of Woody Goldenrod are densely pubescent.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Woody Goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa)

Bark detail. The short trunk is soon branched.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

More information:
Floridata
Wildflowers of the Escambia
John C. Semple's page
USDA PLANTS database

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides