Solidago odora (Anise-scented goldenrod)

Solidago odora Aiton

Anise-scented goldenrod, sweet goldenrod, anise-scented goldenrod

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Asterales	Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
Family	Asteraceae	The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
Genus	Solidago	From Latin solido, “to make whole or heal,” because it was believed these species had healing properties
Species	odora	“Emits an odor”

About plant names...

Sweet goldenrod is native to eastern North America. For a comparison chart of some of the varieties of goldenrods, see Solidago.

Identification: Plants are 24-60" (60-152 cm) high. Stems are hairy. Leaves are dark green, with smooth or hairy edges and pointed tips, 1½-4" (4-11 cm) long. They are alternate, sessile, and have a single main vein. Crushed leaves release a scent of anise (licorice). Flowerheads are roughly tubular in shape. Blooms July through October.

Edibility: Dried leaves and fully extended flowers are brewed as an anise-flavored tea, or “tisane.”

Online References:

Solidago odora on

Solidago odora on floridata.com

Solidago odora at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Solidago odora at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Solidago odora on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Solidago odora on blog.emergencyoutdoors.com

Solidago odora on web.fscj.edu

Solidago odora description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

8/17/2013 · Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, Massachusetts
≈ 8 × 6" (20 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain

8/17/2013 · Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 4½" (15 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

8/17/2013 · Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, Massachusetts
≈ 11 × 7" (28 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 4-9:

About this map...