---
{
  "id": "canada-goldenrod",
  "name": "Canada goldenrod",
  "scientific": "Solidago canadensis",
  "category": "native",
  "status": "Colorado native",
  "status_sources": [
    "N-solidago-canadensis"
  ],
  "warning": "Spreads by roots and seed",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "Goldenrod taxonomy is variable. Other Solidago species and plants sharing this common name require separate identification.",
  "source_ids": [
    "N-solidago-canadensis"
  ],
  "description": "Canada goldenrod: Spreads by roots and seed. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-solidago-canadensis"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "canada-goldenrod-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-solidago-canadensis"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "canada-goldenrod-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-solidago-canadensis"
      ],
      "scope": "Reported distinction; safety limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "canada-goldenrod-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "canada-goldenrod-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific livestock ingestion safety was not established in this review.",
      "id": "canada-goldenrod-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "canada-goldenrod-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "canada-goldenrod-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "canada-goldenrod-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/canada-goldenrod.md"
}
---

# Canada goldenrod

*Solidago canadensis*

**Colorado native.** [N-solidago-canadensis](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-canadensis/)

> **Spreads by roots and seed.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Goldenrod taxonomy is variable. Other Solidago species and plants sharing this common name require separate identification.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Solidago canadensis: A goldenrod stem with a branching yellow flower plume and narrow, alternate toothed leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-solidago-canadensis-1.jpeg)

**flowering stem** — A goldenrod stem with a branching yellow flower plume and narrow, alternate toothed leaves.

Photo: Étienne Lacroix-Carignan; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68713865); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/111333765/original.jpeg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination. Identification follows the research-grade source; these photographs alone do not reliably exclude all similar Solidago taxa.  No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Solidago canadensis: An upright goldenrod stand within mixed meadow vegetation; other plant species also occur in the frame.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-solidago-canadensis-2.jpeg)

**habit and habitat** — An upright goldenrod stand within mixed meadow vegetation; other plant species also occur in the frame.

Photo: Étienne Lacroix-Carignan; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68713865); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/111333767/original.jpeg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination. Identification follows the research-grade source; these photographs alone do not reliably exclude all similar Solidago taxa.  No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Solidago canadensis: Close view of individual small yellow flower heads along a branch; focus is strongest near the centre.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-solidago-canadensis-3.jpeg)

**flower detail** — Close view of individual small yellow flower heads along a branch; focus is strongest near the centre.

Photo: Étienne Lacroix-Carignan; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68713865); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/111333782/original.jpeg). The photo belongs to an iNaturalist research-grade observation identified as the named taxon; source taxon, quality grade, and identifications are retained. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination. Identification follows the research-grade source; these photographs alone do not reliably exclude all similar Solidago taxa.  No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Late-season, branching sprays of small yellow flowerheads on an upright perennial. [N-solidago-canadensis](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-canadensis/)

## Plants & habitat

Spreads by seed and rhizomes; useful in meadow plantings but may need boundaries in small beds. Flowers attract pollinators and seeds feed birds. [N-solidago-canadensis](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-canadensis/)

## People

Goldenrod is different from wind-pollinated ragweed. That distinction does not guarantee freedom from individual sensitivities or ingestion risk. [N-solidago-canadensis](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-canadensis/)

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

Species-specific livestock ingestion safety was not established in this review. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **N-solidago-canadensis** — [Solidago canadensis — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-canadensis/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:58+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=canada-goldenrod) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

Goldenrod taxonomy is variable. Other Solidago species and plants sharing this common name require separate identification.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| canada-goldenrod-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-solidago-canadensis | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| canada-goldenrod-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-solidago-canadensis | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| canada-goldenrod-3 | People | Reported distinction; safety limitation | N-solidago-canadensis | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| canada-goldenrod-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| canada-goldenrod-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific livestock ingestion safety was not established in this review. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/canada-goldenrod/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/canada-goldenrod/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/canada-goldenrod/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json