estaengl's Identifications

Matches botanical description in about section. I.e. Plant about 2 feet tall (50 cm). Stem erect, lightly hairy (puberulent). Leaves: basal persistent at flowering, leaf stem has leafy wings (winged-petiolate), leaves are spatula to pear/ eggshaped (blades oblanceolate to obovate or spatulate), leaves range from less than an inch to over 4 inches at the base (20 cm to >100cm), serrate near apices, lightly hairy (puberulent); stem leaves are directly on the stem (cauline sessile), margins serrate, distal becoming entire. flowers: Heads 2–5 per branch.  leaves just before the compound flower (Phyllaries)  in 3–4 series, outer 2–4 mm, mid 3–5 mm, glabrate. There are 3-7 outer flower petals (Ray florets); tubes connected to the flower petals (corolla tubes) 1/8th an inch (2–4 mm), petal like part (laminae) are 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch (2-6 mm) . There are 9-20 tiny center flowers (Disc florets); corolla tubes 3–4 mm, lobes 0.6–2 mm.

It was found on dry sandy upland road margin which is the habitat type for this species according to https://uwaterloo.ca/astereae-lab/research/goldenrods/sericocarpus/sericocarpus-asteroides

Inat's AI originally identified it seemingly correctly. Impressive.

Apparently the first record of this species in the county!