Early Goldenrod

Solidago juncea

Pollinator Value

🔑 Keystone: Solidago is among the most ecologically important plant genera in eastern North America, supporting 122 species of butterflies and moths as larval hosts in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. The genus is the single most important pollen source for specialist bees (40 specialist bee species), making it a cornerstone of late-summer pollinator networks.
S13 122 lepidoptera; S17 40 specialist bee spp.
🐛 Larval Host: Cucullia asteroides, Cucullia convexipennis, Leuconycta diphteroides, Synchlora aerata, Eusarca confusaria, Schinia nundina
S13+S15 6 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena nubecula, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena simplex, Andrena placata, Colletes simulans, Colletes solidaginis, Colletes compactus, Colletes americanus, Melissodes druriellus, Melissodes agilis, Perdita octomaculata, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis
S17 Solidago genus-level pollen specialists with Eastern NA ranges
❄️ Winter Food Source: Seeds of Solidago species are consumed by Greater Sage-Grouse (10.2% of diet by volume) and Wild Turkey (0.5% of diet). The small achenes with pappus persist on erect stems into winter, providing accessible forage for ground-feeding birds.
S57 genus-level avian diet data

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure in both Canada (N5) and the United States (N5). Ranked S5 in Ontario and S4 in Quebec. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. No conservation concerns; widespread and common throughout its range.
S22 G5, N5 CA, N5 US; S26 not SARA listed
Rarity Ranks: QC S4 – Apparently Secure, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Early goldenrod inhabits dry, open habitats including sandy fields, meadows, wood borders, rocky openings, jack pine plains, and oak-aspen forests. In the Gatineau area it grows on exposed rock and in sandy prairies. It thrives on well-drained, often nutrient-poor soils and is characteristic of disturbance-adapted plant communities.
S7 dry sandy fields, jack pine plains, oak-aspen forests; S4 fields, wood borders; S48 specimens from Deschenes, Farm Point, Val-des-Monts

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Nutrient Accumulator, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Nutrient Accumulator: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 15 bee associations (threshold=3)]
Notes: Functions as an insectary plant attracting beneficial insects and as a nutrient accumulator in permaculture guild design. Its rhizomatous habit provides soil stabilization in dry, sandy sites. Best used in naturalized meadow or prairie plantings where its spreading habit is an asset rather than a liability.
S72 insectary + nutrient accumulator roles; S3 suitable for rock gardens, shoreline rehabilitation

Category: Anticonvulsive, Antidiarrheal, Febrifuge, Antiemetic, Emetic, Gastrointestinal Aid, Liver Aid
S28 Moerman categories from Chippewa, Delaware, Iroquois uses
Notes: Extensively used by Indigenous peoples. The Chippewa prepared a root decoction for convulsions. The Delaware and Delaware of Oklahoma chewed leaves or made infusions to treat diarrhea and fever. The Iroquois used infusions of the whole plant for nausea and jaundice, decoctions of flowers as an emetic and for upset stomach, and root decoctions for fevers.
S28 Moerman: Chippewa, Delaware, Iroquois uses

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented food uses. Moerman's Native American Ethnobotany records only medicinal uses for this species, with no references to consumption as food.
S28 10 uses, all Drug/Medicine categories