narrowleaf goldenrod, Euthamia graminifolia

Narrowleaf goldenrod looks very much like it ought to be just another flat-topped goldenrod. As long ago as 1803, botanists had begun to recognize that it is different. The leaves of this and its closest relatives are gland dotted. And of course there is the flat-topped inflorescence. Now genetic analysis has confirmed that these indeed should be separated from Solidago. Some confusion remains between eastern and western populations. Does the extra fuzz on western plants justify a separate species? If so, narrowleaf occurs in AL, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, and on SPM. If you do not separate E. occidentalis, the species continues to the west coast. Narrowleaf has also been exported to Eurasia. Riverwalk Park, 8/8/13.
Lenawee Co MI, 8/8/13.