Goldenrod
Solidago missouriensis
Family: Asteraceae
This is the most common species found in the trade in Arizona, but there are several species native to Arizona, let alone the southwest of these herbaceous perennials. Most grow 3-4’ tall (some are shorter and some can get up to 6’ tall or more). They are often winter deciduous. Usually flowering July into fall with golden flowers that many swear they are allergic to (but goldenrods have sticky pollen, so you have to be rubbing your nose into the plant to actually suffer from allergic reactions).
Plant in part sun in the low desert (plants can take full sun if reflective heat is avoided and plants are regularly watered). Extremely cold hardy to well below 0°F.
The flowers are very nectar-rich and attract multitudes of bees, butterflies, and other nectar-feeding insects. Larval food plant for owlet moths (family: Noctuidae), and geometer moths (family: Geometridae).
Solidago comes from Latin solido, meaning to make whole or heal, while missouriensis means of or from Missouri.
There are 146 species mostly native to North America, including Mexico; a few species are native to South America and Eurasia. Some American species have also been introduced into Europe and other parts of the world.