Thanks Frito, thats really interesting, and its something I didnt know. Thanks for sharing that, Ill doubtless go down a polyploidy goldenrod rabbit hole now! x

This may not apply to your plant but some species of goldenrod exhibit polyploidy (having many more than 2 copies of each chromosome). This can result in expressing variable traits.

Hi Laura

Man, I wouldnt dare try to tell you which species it is. I have only compared these two, and they were ewver so similar. Maybe a local ranger, the Sierra club, or a natural history museum of botany group might be more useful?

Thanks for asking though!

Yours
Lizzie

Thank you for this suggestion. It sounds horribly possible! Ill mention it to the commissioner of the illustrations…

I imagine this is a combo of goldnerod and aster. Many like to grow in similar habitats, and often play together. I suspect, what looks like one plant, is actually 2 – even though they appear to be growing from one root-source.

Hi Gary

Man, dont I know it. And Im illustrating Goldenrods again now. And I still am mangled up in the differences. Thanks for the feedback, and for making me feel human by being as confused by the blinking nomenclature as I am!

Hi Paris, Im not a good gardener nor a top botanist, so Im not sure. Im going to put your query out on Twutter and will get back to you if/ when I get an answer. Its an interesting one, variety in one plant, and well worth trying to understand. Watch this space and if I hear anything, Ill let you know. Yours Lizzie