A perennial plant growing to 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m). The stems arises from short rhizomes. The hairy stems bear alternate stemless single-veined narrow dark green leaves with smooth or hairy margins and pointed tips. The leaves are 1-4 in (2.5-10.2 cm) long and smell like licorice when crushed. In late summer, densely crowded golden-yellow flowers appear in branched clusters at the tops of the stems. The individual blossoms are arranged in rows along the upper sides of the flower head branchlets. Fuzzy pale gray seedheads containing tiny nutlets replace the blossoms later in the season.

Antiseptic (infusion of the dried powdered herb); astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge and stimulant (leaves); diuretic (essential oil); aperient, astringent and tonic (flowers)

Plants For A Future
Floridata: Solidago odora

The leaves are useful in the treatment of coughs and colds, dysentery and ulceration of the intestines. The essential oil has been used as a diuretic for infants, as a local application for headaches and for the treatment of flatulence and vomiting. An infusion of flowers is beneficial in the treatment of gravel, urinary obstruction and simple dropsy. The root can be chewed as a treatment for sore mouths.