Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea var. asiatica

Flower name
Goldenrod
Scientific name
Solidago virgaurea var. asiatica
Aliasアワダチソウ, 泡立草
Place of origin
Place of floweringFields and footpaths
Flowering seasonJuly, August, September

What is Goldenrod

The Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea var. asiatica) is a perennial plant belonging to the family Asteraceae and genus Solidago, native to Japan and the Korean Peninsula.
It is also known as Awadachi-sou in Japanese and Goldenrod in English.
In Japan, it grows naturally in sunny grasslands, riverbanks, and forest edges in regions such as Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
The plant grows to a height of 30–80 cm with upright stems.
Its leaves are spatulate and alternately arranged.
From September to November, it produces spike-like inflorescences with small yellow flowers about 1.3 cm in diameter, consisting of disk florets and ray florets.

Origin of Japanese Name
The name "Akinokirinsou" means "Autumn Kirinsou," referring to its resemblance to Kirinsou (Phedimus aizoon var. floribundus), which also belongs to the Crassulaceae family and blooms in autumn.

Plants of the Solidago Genus
The following are plants belonging to the genus Solidago. They share the common feature of having yellow capitula, with a few disk florets and 5–7 ray florets.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea var. asiatica)
Origin: Native to Japan and the Korean Peninsula.
Height: Up to 80 cm.
Flower Diameter: 0.6–1 cm (relatively large).
Flower Arrangement: Sparse.
Habitat: Lowland areas.

Miyama Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea subsp. leiocarpa)
Origin: Native to Japan and East Asia.
Height: Up to 80 cm.
Flower Diameter: 0.6–1 cm (relatively large).
Flower Arrangement: Dense.
Habitat: Alpine regions; a high-altitude variant of Solidago virgaurea.
Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima)

Origin: An introduced species from North America, also known as Canada goldenrod
Height: 100–200 cm.
Flower Diameter: Below 0.3 cm (relatively small).
Leaf Characteristics: Fewer than 10 pairs of serrations; hairy stems.

General Information
Common Names: Goldenrod
Scientific Name: Solidago virgaurea var. asiatica
Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)
Native Region: Japan, Korean Peninsula
Habitat: Sunny grasslands, riverbanks, and forest edges in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Plant Height: 30–80 cm
Stem: Upright
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Shape: Spatulate
Flower Type: Spicate inflorescence, head flowers with tubular and ligulate florets
Flower Size: 1.3 cm in diameter
Blooming Period: September to November