Rare Plants of Ontario
Family: Compositae/Composite
MNRF: SC
COSEWIC: SC
Provincial rank: S3
Oldham (2017): Rare

EARTHQUEST Regional rank: R1 (Ecoregion 7E), D1 (Ecodistrict 7E-1), D2 (Ecodistrict 7E-1)

Local rank (watersheds):
Ausable watershed (Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (L1)
Essex region watershed (Essex Region Conservation Authority (L1)
Lower Thames watershed (Lower Thames River Conservation Authority (L1)
St. Clair watershed (St. Clair Region Conservation Authority) (L1)
Upper Thames River watershed (Upper Thames River Conservation Authority) (L2)

Riddell's Goldenrod (Solidago riddellii)

Flowering period:

The peak flowering period is in the month of September from the 13th to 29th (EARTHQUEST 2015, Jolly 2018).

5 Second Rule Identification:

One of the few goldenrods with a flat-topped flowerhead arrangement, multiple linear parallel veined leaves (folded at mid-rib).

Biology and Ecology:

A detailed account will be provided at a later date.

Population Size:

A population size of Riddell's Goldenrod is unknown. Approximately 16 sites with extant, historical and extirpated populations occur. Twenty one Natural Heritage Information Centre Element Occurrences exist between 1846 and 1997.

Habitat & Soils:

wet, marshy ground and old fields, prairies (MNRF 2015). Detailed Ecological Land Classification vegetation characteristics are lacking for Ontario populations. Two populations in Essex region and Lambton county were found growing in Fresh - Moist Forb Tallgrass Prairie Ecosite (MEFM3) and Fresh - Moist Mixed Tallgrass Prairie Ecosite (MEMM2), respectively (Jolly 2015).

Threats:

The greatest threat is conversion of prairie habitat to farmland and urban development. Some populations along abandoned railway lines are threatened by a combination of recreational use such as hiking, and natural succession by other plants (MNRF 2018).

Recovery:

Since this is a provincially and federally special concern species no environmental legislation protects it, or it's habitat.

Biometrics:

Individuals ranging in size from 40 - 100 cm in height (Jolly 2015). Leaves are sub-oppositely to alternately arranged: bottom leaf; 30 - 32 long cm by 3.4 cm wide, middle leaf; 7 - 12.3 cm long by 1.2 x 2.2 cm wide, upper leaf; 5 - 6.9 cm long by 0.8 x 1.1 cm wide.

Environmental Protection:

This species receives no provincial or federal protection.

Confusing look-a-likes:

This species closely resembles Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis), except the leaves are folded, with basal leaves narrower and more lanceolate.

References:

1. Jolly, D.W. 2015. Species at Risk trees, shrubs and wildflowers of Ontario - volume 1 (revised). EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment. Port Burwell. 193 pp.
2. Jolly, D.W. 2018. Unpublished Riddell's Goldenrod data extracted from the Plants of Ontario database. Website: www.earthquestcanada.ca [accessed March 5, 2018].
3. Oldham, Michael J. 2017. List of the Vascular Plants of Ontario’s Carolinian Zone (Ecoregion 7E). Carolinian Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Peterborough, ON. 132 pp.
4. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2018. Riddell's Goldenrod. Website Accessed March 5, 2018

5. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2015. Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide - Appendix G. Riddell's Goldenrod. Website Accessed March 5, 2018

Distribution:

To date, current, historical and extirpated populations have been found in 4 counties and regional municipalities; Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton, and Middlesex. <

Summer
Photo: Dave Jolly	Bottom leaf Photo: Dave Jolly	Middle leaf Photo: Dave Jolly	Upper leaf Photo: Dave Jolly	Flower Photo: Dave Jolly
Winter
Photo: Dave Jolly

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