Diario de saskatoonafforestationareas

https://inaturalist.ca/observations/230619844#activity_identification_90c98cdd-a266-4379-b9ec-caf7f6370801

plants with small blue flowers, small burrs

Potentilla pensylvanica

Prairie Cinquefoil
Potentilla pensylvanica

Some of the pinnate basal leaves have 4 leaflet pairs. Leaf back view could confirm and/or close up of inflorescence to see if glandular. i.d. guideline from AT margaret_eaglecap

Prairie Cinquefoil Pinnate leaf with usually 4+ leaflet/side and leaflets with <10 teeth /side, etc. from Margaret Krichbaum margaret_eaglecap

Clasping Leaf note for Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve

"S. canadensis is now considered to be an eastern species, not found in SK. Plants that would have been classified as such are split into S. altissima and S. lepida."

See this observation from whence the quotation came from AT je9h Canada Goldenrod

The range of S. canadensis has been updated and it has been proposed to reclassify S. canadensis observations in SK to S. lepida or altissima.

See the reclassified range of S. canadensis here.

The range of S. lepida here

The range of S. altissima here.

This "Solidago Subsect. Triplinerviae" subsection includes S. lepida and altissima.

or the higher section

Solidago Sect. Unilaterales

See this observation for the above quotation from AT jpwasan about Canada Goldenrod The range maps are very handy at the above webpages!

All Goldenrods or Solidago Spp are here Names derived from SCDC Species List

The key identifying features are provided below to tell one species from another along with links for an image(s). Remember to document how this goldenrod leaves and inflorescence feels- sticky, leathery, soft and velvety with hairs. (An inflorescence is a group of flowers that grow together on a single stem or a branching system. It's the arrangement of these flowers along the main branch or its side branches, creating a distinct cluster or pattern.)

Solidago altissima var. altissima Tall Goldenrod
Picture a tall, imposing goldenrod reaching for the sky. Solidago altissima, also known as Late Goldenrod, is noted for its single, towering stem and its large, pyramidal inflorescence. Unlike its leafy counterpart Solidago lepida, S. altissima’s inflorescence is less leafy and the stem is covered in short, stiff hairs. Photograph its lanceolate to elliptical leaves—especially those mid-stem that are finely serrate. These leaves tend to have varying degrees of pubescence on their underside. A close-up of the inflorescence and the leaf surface will help in distinguishing it from similar species.

Solidago altissima var. gilvocanescens (Rydb.) Canescent Goldenrod
Solidago altissima = Late goldenrod can be seen with mid to upper stem ball galls. Of the variants, only var. gilvocanescens can be seen in Southern Saskatchewan, i.e. Saskatoon area and southerly. The other two variants are found in Eastern Canada i.e. var. altissima and var. pluricephala

Solidago canadensis var. canadensis Canada Goldenrod
NOT considered to be a SK species anymore as above.

Solidago gigantea Late Goldenrod from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee
Imagine a tall, robust goldenrod towering over its surroundings, standing as a sentinel in the woodland’s edge. Solidago gigantea, with its single stout stem and leafy upper reaches, is impossible to miss. Its inflorescence, a broad pyramidal panicle, looks like a golden cascade from a distance. If you're photographing it, capture the entirety of this imposing flower cluster—it's about 16 cm wide and 11 cm tall. The leaves are a key feature: alternate, elliptical with serrated edges, and longer at the bottom. Notice how the lower leaves have a short petiole, while the upper ones are sessile. The glabrous (smooth and hairless) stem is another distinctive trait compared to its hairy relatives like Solidago altissima and Solidago lepida.

Solidago hispida Hairy Goldenrod from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee
Envision a woodland goldenrod with a soft, fuzzy demeanor. Solidago hispida, or Pale Goldenrod, is characterized by its densely pubescent stems and long, narrow flower panicle. The inflorescence, which can reach up to 30 cm, is a dense cluster of small yellow flowers, not one-sided but sprawling evenly on both sides of the stem. For a good photo, highlight the contrast between the basal leaves—large and petioled—and the progressively smaller, sessile stem leaves. The leaves’ pubescence (soft, fine hairs) is a key identifier.

Solidago lepida var. lepida
S. lepida var. lepida is the variation seen in SK S. lepida = Western Canada Goldenrod of the two variants, S. lepida var. lepida (leafy inflorescence with ascending branches) can be found in Saskatchewan Whereas, S. lepida var. salebrosa (non-leafy inflorescence with spreading arching branches) not so much in SK. Solidago lepida var. lepida In this variety, the flowers grow in a thyrse, which means they are arranged along the main stem. The lower branches with flowers stand upright and don’t bend or curve. Western Canada Goldenrod Picture a tall, elegant goldenrod gracing the open woods. Solidago lepida from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee is a graceful, single-stemmed plant with a pyramid-shaped inflorescence. Its flowers are a bit smaller, with minute glandular hairs that are hard to see without a magnifier. When photographing, focus on the narrow, lanceolate leaves—particularly those mid-stem, which are about 14.5 cm long. The leaves are coarsely serrate with small hairs along the veins underneath. The stem, covered in fine hairs, sets this species apart from the glabrous Solidago gigantea.

Solidago lepida var. salebrosa
Graceful Canada Goldenrod Imagine a goldenrod that stands tall, forming colonies but without the basal leaves you might expect. This plant, Solidago lepida var. salebrosa, has a more restrained appearance compared to its kin. Solidago lepida var. salebrosa, for this variety, the flowers form a shape that resembles a pyramid or a panicle. The lower branches of the flowers curve downwards or arch, giving the plant a more drooping appearance. Its stems can reach from 25 to 150 cm in height and are topped with less bushy, more spaced-out clusters of flowers. The inflorescence branches of this variety are shorter and less spreading than those of Solidago lepida. To identify it, look for the following:

Flowers: Dense, pyramidal clusters that are less leafy and more spread out at the base.
Leaves: The leaves are sessile, meaning they do not have petioles and are attached directly to the stem. They are arranged alternately along the stem.
Habitat: Found in a range of habitats including sandy and gravelly soils, thickets, and open woods.
A photograph should highlight the inflorescence's shape and branching pattern, along with the sessile leaves on the stem.

Solidago missouriensis Low Goldenrod from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee
Imagine a low, sprawling goldenrod hugging the ground. Solidago missouriensis is unique for its rhizomatous, clumping growth, forming dense colonies. With a dense, small panicle of yellow flowers and glabrous (smooth) stems, it’s relatively easy to spot. Focus on the linear-lanceolate leaves, which are finely ciliate (with tiny hairs along the edges). The lower leaves are noticeably longer and narrower compared to the reduced, smaller upper leaves. Capturing the reddish stems and the leaf shape will help distinguish it from similar species.

Solidago mollis Velvety Goldenrod from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee
Visualize a goldenrod with a velvety touch, like a soft, green brush. Solidago mollis is covered in fine hairs that give its leaves a greyish-green appearance. The plant has a pyramidal to club-shaped inflorescence that’s not very large. When photographing, emphasize the leaf texture—oblanceolate to elliptical, with a velvety surface. The plant’s rhizomatous nature and its shorter height compared to species like Solidago gigantea or Solidago altissima are also important identifiers.

Solidago multiradiata Northern Goldenrod
Meet Solidago multiradiata, a goldenrod that’s as varied in height as it is in habitat. It might be as low as 3 cm or reach up to 80 cm. The leaves vary from linear at the base to more spoon-shaped higher up. The flowers cluster densely at the top of the stems, creating a vibrant display of yellow. Here's how to spot it:

Flowers: Clusters of up to 100 small yellow flower heads, each with short ray florets and many disc florets.
Leaves: Linear or lance-shaped, with a tendency to be hairless but sometimes have hairs along the edges.
Habitat: Prefers subalpine meadows and alpine regions.
Focus on the dense flower clusters and the shape of the leaves, especially noting the variation in leaf shape from base to tip.

Solidago nemoralis ssp. decemflora Gray Goldenrod
Think of a goldenrod with a rough, rugged charm, growing in sandy prairie. This variety of goldenrod is found in the west-central part of North America. It’s a tetraploid, which means it has four sets of chromosomes, giving it some distinct features. Look for it by its larger flower heads and narrower leaves at the base of the plant.Solidago nemoralis from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee is recognizable by its tufted, clumping growth and its grayish-green, rough-textured leaves. Its inflorescence is one-sided and often nodding, with densely packed yellow flower heads. For the best photo, capture the basal leaves—oblanceolate and often crenate—as well as the rough, puberulent texture of the stem and leaves. This plant’s distinct appearance, with its rough touch and clumping habit, makes it stand out. Solidago nemoralis ssp. nemoralis: This is another variety of goldenrod, typically found in the eastern regions where the species grows. It can be either diploid (with two sets of chromosomes) or tetraploid (with four sets). This variety generally has different traits compared to its western counterpart, so it’s helpful to note the local differences in appearance.

Solidago ptarmicoides Upland White Goldenrod
Imagine a goldenrod that stands out with its white flowers instead of the typical yellow. Solidago ptarmicoides, or the Upland White Goldenrod, features clusters of white flowers that resemble small daisies. It’s a bit of a trickster because it can be mistaken for a white aster due to its appearance. This one is watched by SCDC Here’s what to look for:

Flowers: Clusters of white, daisy-like flowers with a pale yellow center, about ½ inch across. The flower stalks are short.
Leaves: Lance-linear, often smooth or with a few teeth towards the tip. The leaves can be quite long, especially the basal ones.
Habitat: Dry prairie soils, rocky cracks, and open woodlands.
Photograph the white flower clusters and the unique leaf texture, highlighting the overall appearance of the flower clusters and stem.

Solidago rigida ssp. humilis Dwarf Stiff Goldenrod 'Golden Rocket'
Picture a goldenrod that’s more compact and neat than its wild relatives. Solidago rigida ssp. humilis, also known as 'Golden Rocket', maintains the stiff, upright structure of the species but in a more ornamental form. It’s great for gardens due to its dense, straight growth. Key points to capture:

Flowers: Flat-topped inflorescences of small yellow flowers, similar to the wild type but more compact.
Leaves: Gray-green, stiff, and puberulent (covered with fine hairs).
Habitat: Typically found in dry to mesic, often sandy soils and open meadows.
A photo should emphasize the compact inflorescence and the stiff, gray-green leaves, showcasing its ornamental qualities.

Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod Image from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee
Picture a robust, upright goldenrod with a stiff, rugged stance. Solidago rigida, or Stiff Goldenrod, stands out with its very stiff, puberulent stems and leaves. The inflorescence is a flat-topped corymb, giving it a distinctive appearance. When photographing, focus on the gray-green, velvety leaves with their stiff texture. Note the contrast between the long-petiolated basal leaves and the smaller, stalkless stem leaves. The plant’s upright nature and rough, hairy texture are key features to highlight

Solidago simplex var. simplex
Mt. Albert Goldenrod or sticky goldenrod Solidago simplex (Mountain Goldenrod) Image from Sask Wildflowers by Glen Lee Imagine a low-growing goldenrod with a delicate, cylindrical flower cluster. Solidago simplex has a unique inflorescence that is narrow and cylindrical, with slightly sticky flower heads. For a good photograph, highlight the plant's decumbent or sprawling habit and its glutinous (slightly sticky) flower heads. The leaves are one-nerved and linear to linear-lanceolate, with a noticeable petiole on the basal leaves. The plant's subtle texture and growth form are crucial for accurate identification.

Solidago x lutescens Upland Aster

The Upland Aster is a hybrid between Solidago ptarmicoides and Solidago rigida, bringing together traits from both parents. This hybrid displays pale yellow ray florets and is sparsely pubescent. It’s a bit of a rare find, occurring where the parent species overlap. Look for:

Flowers: Pale yellow ray florets with a sparsely pubescent texture.
Leaves: Alternate arrangement with simple leaf type and entire to serrate margins.
Habitat: Found in areas where S. ptarmicoides and S. rigida grow together.
To identify this hybrid, photograph the flower clusters and note the sparse pubescence. Capture the leaf arrangement and texture, which can help differentiate it from its parent species.

Wyoming Flax Linum compactum Identification notes from Matthias22

Yellow Flax Linum rigidum Identification notes from Sask Wildflowers Glen Lee

Story about Aspen Boletes and the potential and cautions regarding foraging for edible mushrooms

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112329759#activity_identification_2dad1145-4f35-4cc3-8024-1bd68840db85
AND
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96071770#activity_identification_acf04add-e37d-4dd7-944d-aaf22aa9124d

new north american name is Fomes excavatus
Tinder Conk

The old name was Hoof Fungus
Fomes fomentarius

"U. dioica is now considered an Old World spp. not introduced in Saskatchewan." quote from AT eric_lamb

See also Slender Stinging Nettle

https://inaturalist.ca/observations/121049508#activity_identification_898bd933-38b3-4f99-aab8-2bd0f13df8b7

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55428995#activity_identification_968cfeec-606a-4531-bd59-a68356015e2c

Check out this observation Honeysuckle and notes made for ID process about Section Lonicera a member of Honeysuckles Genus Lonicera!