Southern Downy Goldenrod
Solidago pulverulenta Nutt. has been treated as S. puberulaÌý²õ²õ±è.Ìýpulverulenta (Nutt.) Semple () and as S. puberulaÌý±¹²¹°ù.Ìýpulverulenta (Nutt.) Chapm., but treated as a species here based on results presented in two multivariate studies ofÌý³§.Ìýsubsect. Squarrosae ( as broadly treated by Semple et al. 2017) and the S. puberula-S.pulverulenta complex (Semple et al. 2020). Solidago pulverulenta has (20–)50–110+ stem leaves with the mid stem leaves 10–40 mm long, and upper leaves much reduced compared to S. puberula which has leaves 20–50(–60), mid cauline usually 40–50 mm long, upper leaves somewhat reduced. The species has slightly shorter involucres on average than S. puberula and the phyllaries are sometimes less attenuate and sometimes slightly broader. Stems of S. pulverulenta tend to be taller than those of S. puberula, but very short individuals occur in both species. The range of distribution of S. pulverulenta is nearly allopatric on the coastal plain from Maryland to Florida and is illustrated on the map including S. puberula. The species is diploid (2n=18).
1-3. Solidago pulverulenta. 1. Habit, Semple 11668, Chesterfield Co., South Carolina. 2. Stem, Semple 11635, Pender Co., North Carolina. 3. Heads, Radford 41825 NCU, Martin Co., North Carolina.
Semple, J.C., L. Tong, and Y.A. Chong. 2017. Multivariate studies of Solidago subsect. Squarrosae. I. The Solidago speciosa complex (Asteraceae: Astereae). Phytoneuron 2017-18: 1–23.
Semple, J.C., Lan Tong, Y.J. Chong, and J. van de Graaf. 2020. A multivariate analysis of Solidago subsect. Squarrosae. IV. the S. puberula-S. pulverulenta complex. Phytoneuron 2020-70. 1-22.
Last update 18 April 2025 by J.C. Semple    Â
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated