Solidago arguta is a perennial herb 0.50 to 1.5 m tall, from a root crown, stems slender.
Leaves alternate, long-stalked, larger basal ones 10-30 cm long, 3-12 cm wide, broadly elliptic to egg-shaped, pointed at both ends, abruptly contracted to stalk, margins doubly, sharply toothed, stem leaves reduced above, becoming lance-shaped, stalkless, margin finely toothed to almost smooth.
Flowers yellow, of two types, in small heads subtended by small bracts, rays 2-8, disk flowers 8-20, bracteate base of head 0.3-0.7 cm tall; inflorescence branched, flowers on one side of branches; blooms July-Sept.
Fruit dry, plumed achenes.
Wetland status: UPL.
Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent.
Origin: Native.
Habitat: Open woods, thickets.