This is another of the common goldenrods with the plume-like, graceful flower clusters and the sharp pointed, long, narrow leaves with parallel veins. The leaves are toothless, smooth, and with transparent dots, and when crushed give off a nice anise or licorice scent. The yellow ray flowers, looking like petals, are only about 3 to 5 around each whole flower. It usually is 2 to 4 feet high. The root system is all fibrous, so it does not form rhizomes like so many other goldenrods, so it stays as a clump and does not spread aggressively. The scented leaves and dried flowers can be used to make tea. It is native to Nova Scotia in Canada and then from southern New Hampshire & central New York down to central Florida to east Texas up to Missouri in various meadow situations in dry or mesic soils. It is sold as seed or plants from some native plant nurseries as Prairie Nursery, Prairie Moon Nursery, New Moon Nursery, and North Creek Nursery.

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This is the state herb of Delaware.

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