Solidago azorica

Solidago azorica is a species of goldenrod in the family Asteraceae, endemic to the Azores, Portugal.^[1] It is closely related to Solidago sempervirens, native to eastern North America, but in addition to the morphological differences there is a clear genetic separation between the two species.^[2] This species is thought to have evolved from its American relative from a natural introduction made well before human occupation on the islands.^[3]

Solidago azorica
Fajã dos Cubres on São Jorge Island
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Solidago
Species:	S. azorica
Binomial name
Solidago azorica Hochst
Synonyms
Solidago sempervirens subsp. azorica (Hochst.) H. St. John

Description

Stems are up to 60 cm (24 in) long; it has numerous leaves, which are apicular and slightly thick; it produces a large number of small yellow flowers.^[3]

Distribution

It is found in coastal cliffs, lava flows and sand or stone deposits in rough terrain. It occurs dispersed in coastal meadows dominated by Festuca petraea, as well as in heavily exposed habitats, along paths and along stone walls. Up to about 500 m (1,600 ft) altitude (900 m (3,000 ft) in Flores). It is present in all of the nine Azorean islands.^[4][5][3]