Aster sempervirens (Linnaeus) Kuntze

In winter, the plant’s persistent whitened leaves, coarse stalks, and dried flower parts make it easily identifiable. Red leaves sprout in late February and early March, and soon become dark green. From late August to early October, its bright yellow flowers provide an attractive contrast to its lush, thick, green vegetation (Sheahan 2014). 

Seaside goldenrod is a short-day perennial (flowering coincides with shortened photoperiods). The fruit of the seaside goldenrod is a capsule with a pappus in a single circle of bristles. The seeds require no cold stratification for germination. When buried, seed viability decreases after the first year in both disturbed and undisturbed areas. Therefore, seaside goldenrod does not appear to have a persistent seed bank (Sheahan 2014).

Because seaside goldenrod has a moderate growth rate, a shorter life span than other Solidago spp., a limited ability to spread through seed, and produces seedlings with low vigor, it is not generally considered an invasive plant (Sheahan 2014).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental

Realized:  This species can produce allelechemicals that negatively affect the growth of native grasses (Cheplick and Aliotta 2009); however, it is generally restricted to high-saline (salt-polluted) environments where it has little competition in the Great Lakes region. Because seaside goldenrod has a moderate growth rate, a shorter life span than other Solidago spp., a limited ability to spread through seed, and produces seedlings with low vigor, it is not generally considered an invasive plant (Sheahan 2014).

There is little or no evidence to support that Solidago sempervirens has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.

No significant socioeconomic impacts have been reported for this species in the Great Lakes region. There is no known research suggesting that S.sempervirens can negatively affect the growth of nearby food crops (Sheahan 2014).

There is little or no evidence to support that Solidago sempervirens has significant beneficial impacts in the Great Lakes.

No significant beneficial impacts have been reported for this species in the Great Lakes region. While the medicinal value of this particular species of goldenrod remains unknown, many species in the Solidago genus have been used for generations as a natural remedy for a variety of health conditions (ex. S. Canadensis and S. vigaurea). Thomas Edison explored ways of using latex from the seaside goldenrod for the production of natural rubber (caoutchouc) (Sheahan 2014).

Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Control
Seaside goldenrod is being actively planted for dune restoration and wildlife habitat on the east coast. Most of the available research-based management information focuses on growing the plant rather than control.

Biological

Goldenrods in general are popular hosts to overwintering gall insects. Approximately half of all gall insects are lost to predation. Three common herbivores that feed on seaside goldenrod are the goldenrod leaf miner (Microrhopala vittata), red goldenrod aphid (Uroleucon pieloui) and the goldenrod leaf beetle (Trirhabda Canadensis).The goldenrod leaf miner feeds on the upper leaves, creating numerous small holes. Unlike aphids,
population densities for the goldenrod leaf miner remain low and only occasionally create severe damage. The goldenrod leaf beetle is strongly attracted to the odor of
the host plant S. sempervirens, and has been shown to prefer it to the odor of non-host plants (Sheahan 2014).

Physical
Spreads only slowly other than by seed, so deadheading or other cutting prior to seed-set can be effective for control.

Chemical
This is a salt-adapted species. Efforts to control salt-pollution in the freshwater Great Lakes region may help to control populations of this species.

Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.