Goldenrod, a collective term for hundreds of species within the genus Solidago, is a common and widespread perennial plant across North America. These plants are recognized by their bright yellow plumes that appear in late summer and autumn, playing an important role in native ecosystems. For homeowners and land managers, the question of whether white-tailed deer consume this prolific plant is complex. While goldenrod is generally not a preferred food source, deer do consume it under specific conditions.
The Direct Answer: Goldenrod as a Secondary Forage
Goldenrod is typically categorized by wildlife biologists as a low-preference or secondary forage for deer. This means it is generally avoided when more palatable and easily digestible food sources are abundant, such as clover, tender forbs, or preferred woody browse. However, the deer’s preference for goldenrod is not absolute and can vary significantly depending on the specific Solidago species and the season. Some guides even list certain goldenrod species as having a moderate to high selection preference, particularly when the plant is young and lush.
Deer are opportunistic browsers, adapting their diet based on immediate availability. They will readily browse goldenrod when forced to consume less desirable options due to competition or scarcity. During the summer growth phase, goldenrod can offer a crude protein content that averages around 13.8%, which is nutritionally beneficial for the deer herd. Consumption is a behavioral trade-off, where the deer balances the plant’s nutritional value against its physical and chemical deterrents.
Seasonal and Environmental Triggers for Consumption
The consumption of goldenrod is highly variable, largely dictated by external factors that influence a deer’s foraging decisions throughout the year. One major trigger is the change in seasons, which drastically alters the availability of tender, high-quality forage. Deer will often browse the tender, newly emerging shoots of goldenrod in the early spring, before the plant develops its full array of chemical defenses.
Consumption also increases significantly later in the year, particularly in late summer and throughout the autumn and winter months. As preferred herbaceous plants die back and woody stems become tough, the deer may turn to goldenrod as one of the few remaining accessible food sources. Similarly, environmental stressors like prolonged drought can render many other plants unpalatable or cause them to die off entirely. In such conditions of widespread food scarcity, goldenrod often remains one of the few viable options, leading to increased browsing pressure.
High deer population density also acts as a powerful trigger for consumption, even when preferred foods are present. In areas where a large number of deer compete for limited resources, the entire available plant biomass is utilized, including low-preference species like goldenrod. This population pressure forces the deer to expand their diet to include plants they would otherwise bypass.
The Plant’s Natural Deterrents
The primary reason goldenrod is not a first-choice food for deer lies in its intrinsic biological and chemical defenses. The plant employs a variety of natural deterrents, making it less appealing to herbivores. One physical defense is the slightly coarse texture and often leathery nature of the leaves, which are less pleasant to chew and harder to digest compared to soft, tender foliage.
More potent deterrence comes from the plant’s chemical arsenal, specifically its secondary metabolites. Goldenrod contains various compounds that contribute to a bitter taste, making the plant unappetizing to deer. These include high concentrations of tannins, which are astringent compounds that bind to proteins, reducing the nutritional efficiency of the forage. Tannins can make digestion more difficult, discouraging the deer from eating large quantities.
Furthermore, many goldenrod species contain volatile oils, which are responsible for the plant’s strong, sometimes pungent odor. This strong scent acts as a deterrent, as deer tend to avoid plants with intense aromatics. These chemical defenses, combined with the fact that mature goldenrod becomes quite woody and lower in digestible protein later in the season, ensure that it remains a secondary option for the deer’s diverse diet.