Solidago gigantea aka Tall Goldenrod

Solidago gigantea, also known as tall goldenrod or giant goldenrod, is a North American plant species in the family Asteraceae. It is a rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial with upright, hairless stems that can reach up to 2 meters in height. The plant has lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges. From late summer into early autumn, it produces pyramidal panicles of flowerheads that can grow up to 30 centimeters long. These flowerheads consist of densely-clustered, small golden-yellow flowers. Solidago gigantea is the state flower of Nebraska and is also commonly found in Kentucky, where it holds the title of state flower. The central stem of this perennial wildflower is light green or pale purple, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. It is largely unbranched, except at the apex where the flowering stalks occur. The individual branches of the panicle are light green, slightly to moderately pubescent, and recurved. Overall, Solidago gigantea is a tall and striking wildflower that adds beauty to its natural habitats.