Dwarf Goldenrod

Appearance

General: Glabrous perennial from a short woody base or short rhizome, 0.5-8 dm. tall, usually more or less glutinous at least in the inflorescence and peduncles.
Leaves: Basal leaves oblanceolate to spatulate, toothed or nearly entire, blunt or rounded, up to 15 cm. long including the petiole, and 3 cm. wide, the cauline leaves progressively reduced and few.
Flowers: Inflorescence long and narrow to short and compact, the heads often with long pecuncles; involucre 4-6 mm. high, its bracts imbricate, blunt; ray flowers normally 8, disk flowers 13, all yellow.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The similar S. multiradiata always has ciliate petioles (hairs along each edge), S. simplex never has these rows of hairs.

Distribution

Occurring in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains in Washington; Alaska to California, east to Minnesota and Texas.

Habitat

Open, slightly moist areas from coastal dunes to alpine meadows.