About Solidago sciaphila Steele
Solidago sciaphila Steele, commonly called shadowy goldenrod or cliff goldenrod, is endemic to bluffs along the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota, and the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin, northern Iowa, and Illinois. Across its entire range, this species is strongly associated with dolomite and sandstone bedrock, particularly dry cliffs. It resembles Solidago speciosa, but differs by having more serrated lower and mid stem leaves, and is generally smaller to much smaller when growing in shallow soil pockets on cliffs. Small individuals of S. sciaphila have a general appearance similar to Solidago hispida. It blooms from late August through late September, and produces fruit throughout September. Shadowy goldenrod is classified as a Special Concern species in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is listed as threatened in Illinois. Rock climbing activities can cause significant negative impacts to this species. The type specimen was collected by E. S. Steele in 1909, near Kilbourn along the Wisconsin River. Previous reports of Solidago sciaphila from North Carolina actually refer to Solidago villosicarpa, as noted by LeBlond in 2000.
