Anise-scented Goldenrod

Solidago odora

Pollinator Value

🔑 Keystone: Solidago supports 122 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillar host plants in the Outaouais ecoregion, making it one of the most ecologically significant herbaceous genera for Lepidoptera. The genus is also the most recurrent host plant genus among pollen specialist bee species (40 spp.), anchoring late-season pollinator food webs in open habitats.
S13 122 lepidoptera; S17 40 specialist bee spp.
🐛 Larval Host: Cucullia asteroides, Leuconycta diphteroides, Synchlora aerata, Eusarca confusaria, Schinia nundina
S13+S15 5 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Colletes solidaginis, Colletes simulans, Colletes compactus, Perdita octomaculata, Melissodes agilis, Melissodes druriellus
S17 Solidago genus-level pollen specialists with Eastern NA ranges
❄️ Winter Food Source: Seeds of Solidago are consumed by Wild Turkey and Greater Sage-Grouse. Persistent seedheads with attached pappus remain on stems through winter, providing a reliable food source for ground-feeding gallinaceous birds.
S57 genus-level Solidago diet records; S4 fruit = cypsela

Proximity Score: 2
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ❌ ON
Closest Direction: SE
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.3 – Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands
Rarity Notes: Not listed under SARA. NatureServe global rank G5 (Secure). Not ranked in Ontario or Quebec by NatureServe. VASCAN lists Ontario and Nova Scotia occurrences as excluded, indicating the species may not have self-sustaining populations in Canada.
S22 G5; S26 not SARA listed; S1 ON+NS excluded
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Anise-scented goldenrod occupies dry, open woodlands, savannas, and pine barrens on sandy, acidic soils across the eastern United States, reaching its northern limit in southern New England and southeastern Ontario. In its northern range it favors well-drained, nutrient-poor sandy substrates in open canopy conditions, often persisting along roadsides, dry fields, and woodland edges.
S4 savannas, pinelands, dry woods; S29 dry sterile soil, thin woodlands; S61 woodlands, meadows, human-disturbed habitats

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); S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Nutrient Accumulator: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: As an insectary plant, anise-scented goldenrod draws predatory and parasitoid insects that suppress pest populations in adjacent crops and garden beds. Its nutrient-accumulating roots mine subsoil minerals, and its clump-forming habit makes it well-behaved in designed plantings unlike some rhizomatous goldenrods.
S29 beneficial insects, clumper; S72 insectary + nutrient accumulator

Category: Antiseptic, Astringent, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Stimulant, Tonic, Sedative
S28 Cherokee Drug categories; S29 PFAF medicinal uses
Notes: Cherokee used leaf infusions for colds, coughs, fever, tuberculosis, and nerves, and chewed the root for sore mouths. PFAF reports the tea is mildly astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, and stimulant. The essential oil was historically applied topically for headaches and used as a diuretic for infants. Health Canada lists the whole plant as an approved herbal ingredient.
S28 12 Cherokee Drug uses; S29 PFAF medicinal; S36 NHPID approved herbal

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: The leaves and dried flowers produce an aromatic, anise-flavoured tea historically brewed by the Cherokee and later adopted as 'Liberty Tea' during the American Revolution. Blossoms can be used as a flavouring. Seeds are technically edible but too small to harvest practically.
S29 leaves, seed, tea, condiment; S61 Cherokee tea for colds/coughs/fever