
Flower profile
Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod
Solidago rugosa
Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in August–October.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Quick look
Solidago rugosa, commonly called the wrinkleleaf goldenrod or rough-stemmed goldenrod, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it is widespread across eastern and central Canada and the eastern and central United States. It is usually found in wet to mesic habitats.
- 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 31 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. NatureServe
- In Massachusetts, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. iNaturalist
- In Connecticut, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. 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 3.3 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 1,424 research-grade sightings of it in Massachusetts, ranking #101 among the 110 flowers on our Massachusetts list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 575 research-grade sightings of it in Connecticut, ranking #86 among the 111 flowers on our Connecticut list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 325 research-grade sightings of it in Rhode Island, ranking #44 among the 110 flowers on our Rhode Island list. iNaturalist
Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod gift ideas
Handmade common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod art print
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod greeting card
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod mug
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod earrings
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod embroidery pattern
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Common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 3 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Native | August–October | 1,424 |
| Connecticut | Native | August–October | 575 |
| Rhode Island | Native | few records | 325 |
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
- Massachusetts
- Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
- Connecticut
- Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: S5, secure in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
- Rhode Island
- Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: WI (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?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 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 common wrinkle-leaved goldenrod in 31 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, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.
Massachusetts counties with USDA records: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester.
Rhode Island counties with USDA records: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, Washington.
More Massachusetts flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile SORU2.
- iNaturalist, Solidago rugosa: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Solidago rugosa (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR) (Text from MDAR's 2023 scientific-name PDF (mass.gov blocks automated downloads); 2024-2026 additions listed on the mass.gov page: Alnus glutinosa, Pyrus calleryana, Miscanthus sinensis, Aralia elata, Rhodotypos scandens, Symplocos paniculata.).
- Connecticut: Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list).
- Connecticut: Connecticut prohibited invasive plants (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d).
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Solidago rugosa (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Jay Pruett via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.


