Sweet Goldenrod, Anisescented goldenrod, Chapman's goldenrod

Solidago odora

Physical Characteristics

Solidago odora is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Tea Leaves - cooked[177]. Seed[177]. No more details are given but the seed is very small and fiddly to harvest[K]. An aromatic, anise-flavoured tea is made from the dried leaves and dried fully expanded flowers[21, 55, 95, 183]. The blossoms are used as a flavouring[102].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Aperient Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge Stimulant Tonic Urinary An infusion of the dried powdered herb is antiseptic[168]. The leaves make a very pleasant-tasting tea that is mildly astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge and stimulant[21, 95, 207, 222, 257]. It is useful in the treatment of coughs and colds, dysentery and ulceration of the intestines[4, 257]. The essential oil has been used as a diuretic for infants, as a local application for headaches and for the treatment of flatulence and vomiting[4]. The flowers are aperient, astringent and tonic[4]. An infusion is beneficial in the treatment of gravel, urinary obstruction and simple dropsy[4]. The root can be chewed as a treatment for sore mouths[257].

Known Hazards

None known