Upland White Goldenrod

Solidago ptarmicoides

Pollinator Value

🔑 Keystone: Solidago is a keystone genus supporting 122 lepidoptera species in the Gatineau ecoregion. As a genus, goldenrods rank among the top native plant genera for caterpillar host diversity in Eastern North America, sustaining major moth families including Noctuidae, Geometridae, and Tortricidae.
S13
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Colletes simulans, Colletes solidaginis, Colletes compactus, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides
S17+S68 Solidago genus-level pollen specialists with Eastern NA range
❄️ Winter Food Source: Seeds of Solidago species provide winter forage for Wild Turkey (Phasianidae) and Greater Sage-Grouse. Persistent seed heads on erect stems remain available through winter months.
S57

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: Ranked S5 (Secure) in Ontario but S3 (Vulnerable) in Quebec, reflecting limited calcareous habitat in the province. Globally secure at G5. Not listed under SARA. In the Ottawa region it is uncommon but locally abundant where suitable alvar and limestone habitat persists.
S22+S26+S62
Rarity Ranks: QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Solidago ptarmicoides occupies dry, calcareous habitats including alvars, limestone outcrops, sandy prairies, and jack pine barrens across the Ottawa Valley and Southern Laurentians. In the Gatineau region it is found on calcareous soils at sites such as Aylmer and Pontiac, where it grows in open rocky or sandy ground. It is locally abundant on the Ontario side but vulnerable in Quebec, reflecting restricted suitable habitat.
S7+S48+S22+S62

Roles: Insectary Plant, Nutrient Accumulator, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Insectary Plant: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Nutrient Accumulator: S72 Hemenway (tables: appendix_a, pp. 186)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 3 bee associations (threshold=3)]
Notes: Valued as an insectary plant and nutrient accumulator in permaculture guilds. Its late-season white flowers attract a diversity of pollinators and beneficial insects when many other species have finished blooming. Tolerates juglone, making it suitable for planting near black walnut.
S72+S3

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented edible uses in ethnobotanical or foraging literature.
S28+S29