Goldenrod is a common name for many species of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, commonly in reference to the genus Solidago.
Several genera, such as Euthamia, were formerly included in a broader concept of the genus Solidago. Some authors treat Oligoneuron, the flat-topped goldenrods, as a separate genus than Solidago, while others consider it a section: Solidago sect. Ptarmicoidei.Goldenrods can be used as a sustainable method to enrich soil with nitrogen. With an increase of nitrogen levels, there can then be an increase of vegetative growth.Plants known as goldenrods include:
Bigelowia spp., rayless goldenrods, 2 species native to the Southeastern United States
Cuniculotinus gramineus, Panamint rock goldenrod
Euthamia spp., flat-topped goldenrods or grass-leaved goldenrods, 5 species native to North America