Euthamia caroliniana
Euthamia caroliniana, known as Carolina grass-leaved goldenrod or slender goldentop is a flowering plant in the genus Euthamia, a member of the family Asteraceae. It is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and disturbance within its range.
Distribution
Euthamia caroliniana is found primarily on the Atlantic Coastal Plain between Nova Scotia and eastern Texas. It also has populations in the Great Lakes region and around Lake Champlain. Inland populations are also known from Indiana to Kentucky. Within its range, it can be found in open sandy areas, such as powerline cuts in pine barrens.Identification
Carolina goldentop grows up to in height from a branched, creeping rhizome.Along the east coast, the only similar-looking species is grass-leaved goldentop, which has wider leaves with one to three conspicuous veins.
Its range also overlaps with Great Plains goldentop in the western Great Lakes and along Gulf Coast and bushy goldentop along the Gulf Coast.
Galls
This species is host to the following insect induced galls:- Asteromyia euthamiae Gagné, 1968 This midge forms black spots on leaf blades
- Rhopalomyia fusiformae Felt, 1907 Small galls by a fly larvae on leaves, stems and flowers.
Ecology
E. caroliniana grows in a range of habitats such as moist forests, pastures, roadsides, ditches, and other disturbed areasIt forms a persistent soil seed bank, which can persist through fire disturbance.