Riddell's Goldenrod
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Manitoba’s Species At Risk Threatened Riddell’s goldenrod Solidago riddellii iddell’s goldenrod is a provincially Distribution Rthreatened plant found in Manitoba, Ontario and in 14 American states. It is a The native range of Riddell’s goldenrod herbaceous perennial that grows to a height extends from southeastern Manitoba and Any native Manitoba species of one metre (3.3 feet). The narrow leaves southwestern Ontario, southeast to Georgia likely to become endangered tend to curve downward and are folded in the United States. Riddell’s goldenrod is or at risk due to low or inward along the middle vein. They usually at the northern edge of its range in Manitoba, declining numbers in have several prominent veins near the leaf where small populations occur within an Manitoba if the factors base and have rough edges. The lower leaves approximately 30 kilometre-wide band that affecting it don’t improve. gradually taper towards the stem on long stretches from southeast of Winnipeg to the Threatened species are stalks and can reach 24 centimetres (9.5 inches) Tall Grass Prairie Preserve near the U.S. border. declared as such by in length. The upper leaves are smaller and regulation under the not stalked. The flat-topped to rounded Status flower cluster bears many small yellow Endangered Species Act flowering heads (50 to several hundred). Each Riddell’s goldenrod is considered provincially flowering head is less than one centimetre rare (S2) by the Manitoba Conservation Data (0.4 inches) in diameter. Of the 15 goldenrod Centre. Although it is considered vulnerable species confirmed to grow in Manitoba, (S3) in Ontario and rare in several American Riddell’s goldenrod is perhaps most easily states, NatureServe considers the species to confused with Ohio goldenrod (Solidago be secure (G5) overall. Road allowance ohioensis). However, the leaves of Ohio maintenance such as mowing and herbicide goldenrod are flat rather than folded and spraying threaten the survival of Riddell’s lack prominent veins. goldenrod in Manitoba. Riddell’s goldenrod is also particularly susceptible to changes in Habitat moisture caused by drainage projects. In Manitoba, Riddell’s goldenrod grows in Riddell’s goldenrod was listed as threatened by open tallgrass prairie and shrubby fen-like regulation under Manitoba's Endangered Species habitats. It prefers moist to wet, calcium-rich Act in 2001. It was assigned a status of special soils which often have mineral-rich water concern by the Committee on the Status of movement at, or near, the soil surface. Most Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) of Manitoba’s remaining populations occur in 2000. along roads. Life History Stewardship and recovery Riddell’s goldenrod survives as an A key component of stewardship and underground woody stem during winter. It recovery is the protection of habitat for the typically blooms from August to September species. The Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie and appears to be pollinated by bees, wasps, Preserve protects over 2,100 hectares (5,200 flies and other insects such as moths and acres) of prairie, wetland and forest habitat butterflies. Individual seeds are dispersed by wind. Plants may reproduces by sending up for native plant and animal species, including shoots from the underground stem. Riddell’s Riddell’s goldenrod. Since the majority of goldenrod may hybridize with stiff goldenrod populations in Manitoba occur along roads, (Solidago rigida) and white upland aster adjacent landowners and those responsible (Solidago ptarmicoides). for road maintenance can help ensure this Manitoba’s Species At Risk Cool Manitoba Conservation Facts Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3 Other scientific names used 204-945-7775 to describe Solidago riddellii include: www.manitoba.ca/conservation/ Oligoneuron riddellii, Aster riddellii wildlife/index.html and Solidago amplexicaulis. • Manitoba Conservation Regional Office ● Red River Region A false myth blames goldenrods Winnipeg, Manitoba for hay fever in late summer and 204-948-3262 fall. However, goldenrod pollen Eastern Region is large, heavy and sticky and is Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba carried by insects not wind. Hay 204-345-1431 fever is an allergic reaction to • the fine, light, dry pollen produced by other plants such as the Partners in production of this fact sheet: Manitoba Conservation, ragweeds (Ambrosia spp.). Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service ● plants’ survival by becoming aware of land management activities that threaten or protect Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation Riddell’s goldenrod belongs to the Riddell’s goldenrod. For example, mowing in Aster family, also known as the late summer may threaten Riddell’s goldenrod Composite family, which includes populations by removing flowers before seeds sunflowers and daisies. The part are produced and dispersed. Maintaining natural which most people think of as a drainage patterns and native vegetation will help single flower is actually a flower promote the survival of Riddell’s goldenrod head made up of many tiny flowers. populations in Manitoba. ● Get involved in recovery In Manitoba, Riddell’s goldenrod is The Manitoba Conservation Data Centre at the leading edge of its northern monitors Riddell’s goldenrod populations migration following the retreat of regularly. New populations are being discovered within its known range. Please contact the glaciers. Hybridization with other Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch, Manitoba goldenrods may provide or your nearest Manitoba Conservation office, an opportunity to study evolutionary if you think you may have found Riddell’s responses to climate change. goldenrod or would like more information on what you can do to further enhance your land for this and other native Manitoba plant and animal species. Extirpated Species Endangered Species Threatened Species Vulnerable Species Any species once native to Any native Manitoba species Any native Manitoba species likely Species not regulated under Manitoba that has disappeared threatened to disappear through to become endangered or at risk the Endangered Species Act through all of its Manitoba range. all or most of its Manitoba range. due to low or declining numbers in but which could eventually Extirpated species are declared as Endangered species are declared Manitoba if the factors affecting it be considered Endangered such by regulation under the as such by regulation under the don’t improve. Threatened species or Threatened if the factors Endangered Species Act. Endangered Species Act. are declared as such by regulation affecting them do not under the Endangered Species Act. improve..