Solidago flexicaulis (Zigzag goldenrod)

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Solidago flexicaulis L.

Zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Asterales	Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
Family	Asteraceae	The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
Genus	Solidago	From Latin solido, “to make whole or heal,” because it was believed these species had healing properties
Species	flexicaulis	“Flexible”

About plant names...

These goldenrods are native to eastern North America. For a comparison chart of some of the varieties of goldenrods, see Solidago.

Identification: Plants are 24-48" (60-121 cm) tall, usually unbranched. Stems tend to be mildly zig-zagged in shape, light green, and mostly smooth. Leaves are alternate, oval, with coarse teeth, 2-5" (5-12 cm) × 1-4" (2.5-10 cm). Leaf petioles (stems) are ¼-1½" (6.3-38 mm) long. The leaves narrow quickly at the base, leaving little "wings" on the petiole. In addition to a flowerhead at the tip of the stem, which is up to 5" (12 cm) long, there are smaller racemes along the upper portion of the stem. Individual flowers are about ¼" (6.3 mm) around. Blooms from July to October. Most goldenrods need a lot of sun, but these tolerate partial sun or shade.

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

Minnesota Wildflowers

The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

EFloras

References:

Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 154