Solidago spp. in the Asteraceae family.
Solidago spp.
Goldenrod
Asteraceae
Native
Scioto Audubon Metro park on 9/14/2014. Scioto Audubon Metro park is on the Whittier Peninsula (surrounded by the Scioto River) in the middle of downtown Columbus. It is the restored site of an old impound lot and warehouses. This specimen of goldenrod was found in restored prairie in a lowland marshy area. It was about four feet tall and the major species blooming in fields surrounding wetland. Possibly Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora) because the edges of its leaf are smooth, you cannot see more than three veins on the backside of the leaf, and the leaf is 2-4 inches long. Its yellow flowers are arranged in clusters at the top of the plant that are curved over to one side.
I pressed some goldenrod!
The golden rod is a good example of a panicle inflorescence.
I also tried to identify a goldenrod down to species and it’s very difficult. You really have to narrow down the characteristics of different parts of the plant, which you did a good job of.