Solidago spathulata

Coast goldenrod, Coast Goldenrod

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Coast goldenrod is a California native perennial found in northern coastal bioregions including Mendocino, San Francisco Bay Area, and central coastal areas in coastal dunes, headlands, and chaparral at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces golden yellow flowers in small clusters with 4 to 10 ray flowers. Growing 1 to 5 decimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems from a short, woody base, it has a distinctive growth pattern. Its lower leaves are large, spoon-shaped, and slightly toothed, while upper leaves become smaller and more pointed, with a characteristic resinous-sticky texture. The plant's delicate golden flower heads and uniquely shaped leaves make it a distinctive coastal wildflower.

Habitat: Dunes, headlands, chaparral

Bloom period: May-Nov

Elevation: < 600 m

Bioregions: NCo, NCoRO, NCoRI, CCo, SnFrB.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.