Solidago harrisii Steele

Locations ofSolidago harrisii Steele in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Solidago harrisii Steele
Common Name
Shale Barren Goldenrod
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Solidago harrisii Steele
Comments
This species is a Central Appalachian endemic (MD, WVA, VA) of lithophytic habitats. It has been treated by many authorities as Solidago arguta Ait. var. harrisiii (Steele) Cronq., but recent multivariate analyses by J.C. Semple et al. (Phytoneuron 2021-20: 1–56) support species status. Morphologically, its small, few-flowered heads with narrow, tapering bracts, widely spreading inflorescence branches, and coriaceous, truncate leaves are distinctive among species of the S. arguta complex (Semple and Beck, Phytoneuron 2021-10. 1-6).
Habitat
Dry, rocky woodlands, barrens, and outcrops, on various geological substrates. Recent field work has shown that this species, long considered a shale barren endemic, occurs even more frequently on limestone and dolostone, and locally on metabasalt, amphibolite, siltstone, schist, and diabase. Locally frequent in the mountains, rare in the Piedmont on rocky bluffs along the Potomac and James rivers.
Native Status
Native

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