- Scientific name: Oligoneuron album
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
- Endangered (MA Endangered Species Act)
Description
Upland White Goldenrod in its favored open rocky ledge habitat.
Upland white goldenrod is a relatively short plant (30-45 cm; 12-18 in) of the composite family (Asteraceae); though it looks similar to what we commonly identify as an aster, it is actually a goldenrod. Robust plants may have a cluster of numerous slender, straight stems, referred to as a “tuft.” Flower heads may be few or many but are never densely grouped or in one-sided arrangements.
Stems are mostly glabrous below but gradually become densely short pubescent above and on the branches. Depending on availability of moisture, basal and lower-most stem leaves may be present during flowering. Its firm, ascending leaves are narrow and taper to long points. Leaves gradually become smaller on stems and branches. Unlike most goldenrods, it forms a flat-topped inflorescence of white-rayed, aster-like flower heads, which are located towards the ends of short branches. Upland white goldenrod is the only white-rayed goldenrod that forms a flat-topped inflorescence. By comparison, silverrod (Solidago bicolor) is typically taller (up to 100 cm; >3 ft), with an elongate, slender inflorescence bearing numerous heads that are bunched close together at nodes along stems and branches. Upland white goldenrod is more likely to be confused with two aster species in the genus Sericocarpus, specifically toothed white-topped aster (S. asteroides, syn. Aster paternus) and narrow-leaf white-topped aster (S. linifolius, syn. Aster solidagineus). All three of these species have flat-topped inflorescences and heads with both white rays and white disc florets.
However, unlike upland white goldenrod, the tips of the phyllaries (involucral bracts) of the two Sericocarpus species are abruptly recurved. Moreover, the leaves of the two Sericocarpus species are oval- or egg-shaped and short-pointed, rather than narrow and long-pointed as are the leaves of upland white goldenrod. Lastly, the leaves of the Sericocarpus species are not ascending.
Life cycle and behavior
This species flowers from late July into early September; peak flowering is during August. Fruit matures within three weeks of cessation of flowering.
Distribution in Massachusetts. 1999-2024. Based on records in the Natural Heritage Database.
Population status
The Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program has 6 records from 3 counties: Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire. Four of these records have been observed within the last 25 years.
Distribution in Massachusetts. 1999-2024. Based on records in the Natural Heritage Database.
Distribution and abundance
Upland white goldenrod ranges from Quebec to Saskatchewan, south to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia. However, it is most common in the central and north-central midwestern states. It is at the extreme eastern edge of its range in New England and is rare throughout the region.
Habitat
This species inhabits open or partially-shaded dry rocky outcrops of sandstone, shale, or limestone. It prefers calcareous or circumneutral substrate. It is often found growing in cracks or fissures in the outcrops; current Massachusetts populations are known from rocky shores of the Connecticut River. Associated species vary among sites, but include harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), wild ryes (Elymus spp.), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), and various asters (Symphyotrichum spp.).
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Threats
Upland white goldenrod requires significant sunlight exposure and should be monitored for over-shading and competition from invasive and aggressive native species; if deemed a threat, pruning or other means of vegetation control may be warranted. As current Massachusetts populations are associated with the Connecticut River, hydrologic regime changes, shoreline development, and recreational use are potential threats.
Conservation
Development and recreation (e.g., trails, boat launch areas) should be directed away from upland white goldenrod habitat. All active management of rare plant populations (including invasive species removal) is subject to review under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and should be planned in close consultation with the MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
Contact
| Date published: | May 9, 2025 |
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