One of the smaller goldenrods, it grows 20 centimeters to one meter (8–40 inches) tall from a branching underground caudex.

[6] The lower leaves are up to 10 centimeters (4 inches long) and the blades are borne on winged petioles.

[8] The fruit is a rough-texured cypsela about 2 millimeters long tipped with a pappus of bristles slightly longer.

[8] There are two subspecies:[8] This plant grows in forests, woods, prairies, grasslands, and disturbed areas such as old fields and roadsides.

[6] This species is host to the following insect induced galls: The plant has had various uses among Native American peoples.