Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) vs. Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora)

These two goldenrods are sometimes confused; both tend to grow in dry habitats. They are usually easy to tell apart by close examination of the leaves, and they have numerous other differences. S. altissima ranges farther north and much farther west, and prefers richer, finer-textured soils, ranges onto higher-pH soils, and tolerates much greater levels of disturbance. S. odora is more restricted to the southeast and is strictly limited to acidic, nutrient-poor soils, and is more shade-tolerant, but less tolerant of disturbance.

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