Two have flower heads in axillary clusters or on short branches
Solidago flexicaulis, Broadleaf Goldenrod Native, Piedmont & coastal plain
Also called zig-zag goldenrod, for the angles in the stem.
Seventeen have flower heads in terminal panicles
Solidago arguta var. arguta, Cutleaf Goldenrod Rare native, Piedmont & coastal plain
Basal leaves with big sharp teeth.
Solidago rugosa var. aspera, Thick Rough-leaf Goldenrod Native, Piedmont & coastal plain
Leaves thick, firm, wrinkled, not sharp-toothed, with short stiff hairs.
Solidago rugosa var. rugosa, Thin Hairy Rough-leaf Goldenrod Native, Piedmont & coastal plain
Leaves thinner, less wrinkled, sharp-toothed, long-pointed, smooth or with soft hairs. More common than var. aspera, especially in the Piedmont.
Five have flower heads in a long terminal cluster
Solidago hispida, Hairy Goldenrod Native, Piedmont only
Similar to S. bicolor, but with yellow flowers. Stem and leaves hairy. Dry open woods, rocky slopes.