Solidago nemoralis, also known as old field goldenrod, is the sunflower family's rhizomatous, upright perennial. It typically grows to a very compact 0.5' to 1' tall, infrequently reaching 3' tall. It is one of the smallest species of goldenrod and is native to North America; it is found across the southern provinces of Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia and in the U.S. from Maine to Florida west to Montana and New Mexico.

This erect perennial typically consists of a clump of 1-6 unbranched gray-green stems densely covered with short white hairs. It flowers from August to November, with the stems topped by narrow, often downward-arching, one-sided, bright yellow flower plumes (panicles) that are 4-10" long. The flowerheads, each about 1/4" across, are mainly located on the upper side of each panicle and are replaced after blooming by hairy achenes.

Goldenrods are attractive to bees and butterflies.