Ontario Goldenrod
Solidago ontarioensis (Ringius) Semple & Peirson is native to calcareous and basaltic rocks on shorelines in Ontario and Michigan. Solidago ontarioensis is similar to S. glutinosa, but has usually taller involucres and larger shoots have a more open inflorescence with longer branches; fruit bodies are moderately to densely strigose proximally and distally. The species was treated as Solidago simplex var. ontarioensis (Ringius) Ringius by Semple & Cook (2006 FNA)and included in ssp. randii. The species is tetraploid (2n=36) throughout its range (Peirson et al. 2012).
Semple et al. (2019) presented a multivariate analysis of all 13 species of S. subsect. Humiles. Solidago ontarioensis was included in the analyses of all species, in the analyses of just the 6 species native to mid western and northeastern US and adjacent Canada, and in the analysis comparing just S. glutinosa and S. ontarioensis. In the 12 and 11 species analysis, specimens of S. ontarionensis did not form a well supported group a posteriori. In the 6 species analyses, the S. ontarioensis group held together with much more support (82% and 91% correct placement a posteriori). In the two species analysis, the S. ontarioensis group held together with 91% correct placement a posteriori).
Semple, J.C. , and J.A. Peirson. 2013. A revised nomenclature for the Solidago simplex complex (Asteraceae: Astereae). Phytoneuron 2013-41. 1-5.
Semple, J.C., K. Kornobis, A. Mazzorato, G.S. Ringius, and J.A. Peirson. 2019. A multivariate morphometric analysis of Solidagosubsect. Humiles (Asteraceae: Astereae). Phytoneuron 2019-25: 1–61.
Last revised 19 May 2025 by J.C. Semple
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated
1-6. Solidago ontarioensis. 1. Robust plants, Semple & Brammall 2780 WAT, Tobermory, Ontario. 2-3. Small plants, Semple & Brammall 2779 WAT, Tobermory, Ontario. 4. Cultivated rosettes and dwarf shoot, Semple 11086, Algoma Dist., Ontario. 5. Head, Semple & Brammall 2788, Tobermory, Ontario. 6. Range map JCS.