Solidago sciaphila

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Solidago sciaphila 2252137.jpg

| image_caption = In Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, Wisconsin

| genus = Solidago

| species = sciaphila

| authority = E.S.Steele

| synonyms_ref =

| synonyms =

}}

Solidago sciaphilia is known as shadowy goldenrod{{PLANTS|id=SOSC|taxon=Solidago sciaphila|accessdate=19 November 2015}} or cliff goldenrod. The species is endemic to bluffs along the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota, and the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin, northern Iowa and Illinois.[http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Solidago%20sciaphilia.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Throughout its range, S. sciaphila is strongly associated with dolomite and sandstone bedrock, especially dry cliffs.{{cite web|author=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources|title=Solidago sciaphila Steele, Cliff Goldenrod|url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=PDAST8P1R0|accessdate=2015-08-11}} It can be similar to Solidago speciosa but has more serrate lower and mid stem leaves and is generally smaller to much smaller when growing in pockets of shallow soil on cliffs.Semple, J. C., and R. E. Cook. 2006. Solidago. Pages 107-166 in Flora of North America, Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Volume 20. Oxford University Press. Small plants are similar to Solidago hispida in general appearance. Blooming occurs late August through late September; fruiting occurs throughout September. Shadowy Goldenrod is considered a Special Concern species in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and considered threatened in Illinois. This species can be significantly impacted by rock climbing activities.{{cite web|author=Nuzzo, V. A.|title= Effects of rock climbing on cliff goldenrod (Solidago sciaphila Steele) in northwest Illinois|url= http://www.biomedsearch.com/article/Effects-rock-climbing-cliff-goldenrod/16958045.html|publisher=American Midland Naturalist|date=April 1995|accessdate=2015-08-11}}

The type collection was made by E. S. Steele in 1909, Vicinity of Kilbourn, on the Wisconsin River. Reports of Solidago sciaphila from North Carolina are Solidago villosicarpa instead (LeBlond, 2000).LeBlond, R.J. 2000. Solidago villosicarpa (Asteraceae: Astereae), a rare new Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic. Sida 19(2).