Question: I'm trying to decide whether this Solidago is altissima or canadensis. I believe altissima is supposed to be hairy on …
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Question
I'm trying to decide whether this Solidago is altissima or canadensis. I believe altissima is supposed to be hairy on the undersides of the leaf on both the veins and in between. As you can see from the underside in the photo, you can see hairs all over, but only if the light is just right. I'm not sure what constitutes "hairy." This is on the edge of the parking lot at Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, close to a salt marsh along the Merrimack River.
Answer
chaffeemonell, based on leaf pubescence and margin (low teeth), it does look like Solidago altissima. The measurements of the involucres and disk flowers are the real definitive characters. Best wishes.
