The yellow flower trend continues. This week, we have not one but three flowers, the three main species of goldenrod (Solidago) found on the Pajarito Plateau: Solidago wrightii (shown in the image above), Solidago simplex, and Solidago velutina.
Wright’s goldenrod (Solidago wrightii) is fuzzy and resembles a many-stemmed, bushy plant with lots of curly leaves growing from the stems.
I refer to Solidago simplex as smooth goldenrod since the stems are not at all fuzzy. It is mostly a singe- or few-stemmed plant where the flowers form a true golden rod at the top.
Finally, you can find what I call rough goldenrod (Solidago velutina), which has rough hairs on the stems and leaves. The flowers grow in a branching array and often form a pyramid or at least droopy cluster.
Sometimes you can see all three types at the same time in our ponderosa woods.
Enjoy.