The stout, unbranched stems of stiff goldenrod are 1-5 ft. tall and often occur in clumps. The rosettes of long, oval , over-wintering, basal leaves are less noticeable than the thick, leathery stem leaves. Each stem ends in a flat-topped inflorescence of yellow flower heads.

Stiff Goldenrod has larger, flatter flower clusters than most Goldenrods. The leaves turn nice shades of red in the fall.

Goldenrod species have sometimes been blamed for hay fever, but the irritating symptoms are actually caused by ragweed ( Ambrosia species) pollen, which is airborne when goldenrod is in flower. This plant is deer resistant.

Host plant for numerous moth and butterfly species, along with other insects.