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

Flower profile

Broad-leaved goldenrod

Solidago flexicaulis

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
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 110 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist

Broad-leaved goldenrod gift ideas

Handmade broad-leaved goldenrod gifts from independent makers.

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.

More Minnesota flowers

Sources