Zigzag Goldenrod

“The generic name comes from solidare, for the plant is known as a vulnerary, or one that ‘makes whole’.”-GrieveChippewa called Solidago “gi’ziso’muki’ki” meaning “sun medicine”; used for fevers, ulcers, and boils.“The name Solidago comes from the Latin solidus + agree, meaning that it “causes to solidify, to bring together” the lips of a wound. Solidago was one of the main wound-remedies of the Middle AgesOjibweIt is as if the plant was storing for winterIt has long been recognized that Solidago is a kidney medicine. The Goldenrod problem begins with a lack of endurance, a lack of strength to persevere through difficulty, an inability to process what is necessary to get to the endGoldenrod is well-suited to patients with exhausted kidneys which can no longer pull in the blood.

They have tired backs and tired feet”-WoodAlabama used root infusion for colds. Algonquin used plant infusion for heart disease. Blackfoot used plant infusion for nasal congestion; chewed root or plant infusion for sore throats, throat constrictions, and nasal congestion; infusion used as supernatural panacea.

Zig-zag Goldenrod is one of the easier Solidago species to ID. The woodland habitat, broad, coarsely toothed leaves and erect clusters make it pretty unique. It does very well in a shade garden, though its spreading nature may take some care to keep in line. Like most goldenrods, it is a pollinator magnet. Zigzag Goldenrod (S. Flexicaulis) has a zigzag stem and broad ovate leaves. Downy Goldenrod (S. Puberula), found in dry sites along the East Coast, has a very leafy stem covered with fine, spreading hairs.

Cherokee used plant infusion for fevers. Chippewa used root decoction externally and internally for cramps; decoction of dried leaves for fevers. Iroquois used for hemorrhage.The Alabama used the roots of an unidentified species for a tea drunk for a cold; a piece of the root was sometimes put into the cavity of an aching tooth used in fevers and pain in the chest. Roots were used for a poultice on boils– VogelLenape boiled Goldenrod in the water for sweat lodges.

Goldenrod Ethnobotany - Solidago of the Upper Delaware (Wayne County, PA and adjacent counties)​Contents:BOTANYKeyNATIVE AMERICAN MEDICINAL USESMedicinal Medicinal Species of Goldenrod and UsesUSES FROM OTHER CULTURES AND OF RELATED GOLDENRODSHOMEOPATHY & FLOWER ESSENCESHARVEST, PREPARATION, & USE OF GOLDENROD BOTANYSolidago is very much a genus of our area. It is primarily of North America and especially of the eastern half.​ Definitions of Terms:axillary – in the junction of leaf and stem (axil)basal – at the basecauline – of the stemcrenate – with rounded teethglabrous – without hairsinvolucral bracts – leaf-like structures subtending the flowerpanicle – branched racemepubescent – with short soft hairsraceme – inflorescence with stalked flowersserrate – with sharp, forward directed teethsquarrose – abruptly recurved or spreadingKEY TO OUR SPECIES OF SOLIDAGO:A. Legacy of kain blood omen. Wand-shaped or axillary clustersB.

Mainly axillary clustersC. Stems zigzag – S. Flexicaulis Zigzag GoldenrodC. Stems not zigzag – S. Caesia Bluestem GoldenrodB.

Creamy white flowers – S. Bicolor Silver-rodD. Yellow flowersE.

Involucral bracts squarrose – S. Squarrosa Stout GoldenrodE. Involucral bracts not squarrose – S. Uliginosa Wrinkleleaf GoldenrodA. Triple nervedG. Stems glabrousH. Leaves long-petioled and persistant – S.

Juncea Early GoldenrodH. Leaves shriveled by flowering time – S. Gigantea Smooth GoldenrodG. Stems pubescent at least to midpointI. Upper leaves serrate – S. Canadensis Canada GoldenrodI.

Upper leaves minutely serrate to entire – S. Altissima Late GoldenrodF.

Pinnately veinedJ. Stems glabrousK. Lowest cauline leaves clasping – S. Uliginosa Bog GoldenrodK. Lowest cauline leaves not claspingL. Stems ridged – S. Patula Spreading GoldenrodL.

Stems roundM. Basal leaves gradually tapering – S. Juncea Early GoldenrodM. Basal leaves abruptly narrowed – S. Arguta Forest GoldenrodJ.

Stems pubescentN. Leaves glabrous – S. Odora Sweet GoldenrodN. Leaves pubescentO. Sharply toothed – S. Rugosa Wrinkleleaf GoldenrodO.

Entire or obscurely crenate – S. Nemoralis Gray GoldenrodNATIVE AMERICAN MEDICINAL USES:Late Goldenrod S. AltissimaChippewa used a’djidamo’wano (squirrel tail) as a medicine for cramps.Canada Goldenrod S. Canadensis –Iroquois used “When there is no appetite in morning because there is too much gall – an emetic. Goldenrod removes the gall because the flower is yellow. Steep handful in 4-5 qt. Water until ½ is left.

Add cool water. Until stomach hurts, then vomit using fingers. Then take more. Do this 3 days before breakfast.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsSolidago flexicaulis, commonly called zigzag or broadleaf goldenrod, is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to rich woods and thickets from Nova Scotia to North Dakota south to Georgia and Arkansas. In Missouri, it typically occurs in wooded areas throughout much of the state except for certain unglaciated prairie regions and in the far northwestern counties. It typically grows upright to 2-3’ tall, but sometime to as much as 4’ tall in the western parts of its range. This species is distinguished by its zigzag stems and its toothed, broad-ovate leaves. Leaves (2-7” long) are sharply pointed at the tips.

Stems are sometimes but not always in a zigzag shape. Flowers appear in small, axillary clusters on the upper parts of the stems and stem ends. Flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Goldenrods in general have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. Genus name comes from the Latin words solidus meaning whole and ago meaning to make in reference to the medicinal healing properties of some species plants.

Specific epithet means having a flexible stem.