Solidago hispida var. tonsa

Solidago hispida var. tonsa Fern. was described from plants from serpentine tableland (alt. 550 m) and slopes of Blomidon ("Blow-me-down") in western Newfoundland.  It appears to be the less hairy version of the species in the northern eastern part of the range of S. hispida.  The name has been applied to usually much more robust plants from much further west that are correctly treated as var. huronensis.  There are also some nearly glabrous plants from far northern Ontario near Hudson Bay.  These might be var. tonsa or of separate origin.  Further work is needed to sort out the relationships of the less hairy members of S. hispida and to determine how different var. tonsa is from var. arnoglossa.