Canada goldenrod – characteristics, cultivation and use

Canada goldenrod on a meadow
Canada goldenrod on a meadow - By Olivier Pichard - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14741879

The Canada goldenrod is a species from North America, which is occasionally used as a medicinal plant and is now also found in large parts of Central Europe wild. However, the care and use of the Canadian goldenrod is very similar to the common goldenrod, which is native to Europe and eastern North America. Main areas of application are the supportive treatment of urinary and kidney diseases.

Profile of Canada goldenrod:

Scientific name: Solidago canadensis

Plant family: asters (Asteraceae)

Other names: Canadian goldenrod

Sowing time / Planting time: April – June

Flowering period: July – October

Harvest time: August – October

Location: sunny

Soil quality: dry, sandy soil

These information are for temperate climate!

Use as a medicinal herb: bladder weakness, kidney inflammation, kidney stones, dropsy, wound healing, gout, rheumatism

Use as aromatic herb: wild herb salad

Plant characteristics and classification of Canada goldenrod

Occurrence and origin of the Canadian Goldenrod

The Canadian goldenrod has its origin in North America. The original distribution area were the northern United States and the areas of southern Canada. Canadian Goldenrod is also native to many European countries today and can be found in both plains and hill and mountain ranges up to 1,200 meters (3,937 feet).

The plants came to northern and central Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. There they were offered among other things as ornamental plants on flower and garden markets. Due to the invasive propagation characteristics of the plant, the Canadian Goldenrod can be found today on many railway embankments, meadows, forest clearings and also riparian areas.

Plant order of the Canada Goldenrod

The Canadian goldenrod belongs to the aster family (Asteraceae). It is related to many other domestic herbs such as the marigold, chamomile or dandelion. The genus of marigolds is very diverse and includes more than 100 species. Above all else, the goldenrod, is well-known here.

Look and characteristics of the Canadian Goldenrod

Plant

With stature heights between 50 and 200 cm (20 and 80 in), the Canadian goldenrod is quite large and takes on a distinctive character in many places. The plant is persistent and overwintered with its root network, to shoot again in the following season.

Leaves

The leaves of the Canada goldenrod have a lanceolate shape and are slightly sawn towards the tip of the leaf. In contrast to the goldenrod, the undersides of the leaves are characterized by a short hairiness. The leaf surface, however, is usually completely bare and smooth. The leaves sit alternately on the shoot axis.

Flowering

The flowers of the Canadian goldenrod usually appear between the end of July and occasionally bloom into October. During flowering, this goldenrod species produces small bright yellow flowers. The flowers themselves are characterized by the same length of tubular and ligulate flowers. Characteristic of the Canadian goldenrod are the curved panicle branches and the rather loose arrangement of the flower heads in comparison to the common goldenrod.

Ripening

After flowering, form about 1 mm long nut fruits (achenes), which are typically short-haired and propagated by wind.

Canada goldenrod plant
Canada goldenrod plant – CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=327511

Care and use of the Canadian Goldenrod

For more information on cultivation, care and the use as a kitchen and medicinal herb, I would like you to read the herb portrait of the goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea). The Canadian goldenrod is almost identical in composition and use to the common goldenrod.

Canadian Goldenrod can be used for these ailments and diseases

  • asthma
  • bladder problems
  • bloating
  • chronic nephritis
  • dental ulcers
  • dropsy
  • gout
  • kidney problems
  • rheumatic complaints
  • smaller kidney stones
  • wound treatment for insect bites

Medicinal properties

  • antibacterial
  • antifungal (against fungi)
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antispasmodic
  • immunostimulatory
  • soothing

Buy Canada goldenrod – What is there to pay attention to?

For gardeners who want to plant the Candian goldenrod care should be talen to the scientific name Solidago canadensis. With a little luck you can find seeds online. Also, some garden center may offer fresh plants.

For medical applications, Canadian goldenrod can also be used the same way as the common goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), as they have a nearly similar composite of the active ingredients.

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