Bloomipedia
Broad-leaved goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Photo: giantcicada via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Broad-leaved goldenrod

Solidago flexicaulis

Broad-leaved goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly August–October across the U.S.

Native to Minnesota

Broad-leaved goldenrod is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Minnesota it's most often seen in bloom in August–September.

33states where USDA records it
1,576MN sightings*
10,009U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Minnesota

Quick look

Solidago flexicaulis, the broadleaved goldenrod, or zigzag goldenrod, is a North American species of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the eastern and central parts of the United States and Canada, from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and the Dakotas, and south as far as Alabama and Louisiana.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 33 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Minnesota. NatureServe
  • In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–September. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late summer. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,576 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #87 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Minnesota, most flowering sightings come in August–September.

Flowering records by month in Minnesota (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (183 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: KS (S1), LA (S1), NC (S2), ND (S2), NE (S1), RI (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records broad-leaved goldenrod in 33 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Broad-leaved goldenrod a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.3 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -18 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium
Soil pH range
5.3 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-18 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
140
Annual precipitation range
20 to 55 inches
Minimum root depth
8 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring, Summer, Fall
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, seed, sprigs
Commercial availability
No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for SOFL2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Solidago latifolia.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 755 counties across 32 states; the most are in Missouri (76), Kentucky (71), Ohio (65).

Other Solidago on Bloomipedia (8): Goldenrods, Bluestem goldenrod, Northern seaside goldenrod, Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod, Stiff-leaved goldenrod, Tall goldenrod, Silverrod, Giant goldenrod.

More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion, Firewheel.

More Minnesota flowers

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Sources