Southern goldenrod
Solidago confinis A. Gray is native to wet stream banks, springs, and marshes in southern California and adjacent Baja California Norte in Mexico. The species can be very robust when growing in seepage and continuously wet ditches (f. luxurians) but much smaller in seasonally drier conditions. The phyllaries are narrowly linear-triangular with distal margins revolute and tips sharply acute; rays usually 5–10 (Semple & Cook 2006 FNA). The common name makes sense if you live in California. The species is diploid (2n=18).
Solidago confinis is similar to S. spectabilis and was treated by A. Cronquist (1994) as a variety of that species.
Last revised 15 April 2025 by J.C. Semple
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated
1-6. Solidago confinis, California. 1. luxuriant form, Semple & Chmielewski 8970, Ventura Co. 2. Tall plants, Semple & B. Semple 5636, Santa Barbara Co. 3. Basal rosette, S & Ch 8970. 4. Small shoot, Semple & Chmielewski 8984, Riverside Co. 5. Stem leaves, Brooks & Wisura 4260 RSA, Inyo Co. 6. Heads, S & Ch 8970.