Short’s goldenrod (Solidago shortii) is known from a single locality in northern Kentucky, and at present consists of 12 separate populations scattered over a 2.2 km2 area. At present the species is listed as Rare and Endangered in the Federal Register. The species is an outcrossing clonal perennial, inhabiting a variety of habitats (e.g. cedar glades, rock outcrops, fallow pastures) and exhibiting a wide range of morphological variation, as determined by previous morphometric analysis. Several populations have been either recently extirpated or are experiencing significant declines in numbers of individuals, To assess variability at the genetic level, a total of 85 individuals from 9 populations were sampled for the following allozymes: ADH-1, ADH-2, MDH-1, EST-1, EST-2, IDH-1, SOD-1, and ME-1. All loci surveyed exhibited varying levels of polymorphism. The least variable locus was malic enzyme (only 2 alleles); the most polymorphic was ADH-2. Varying levels of heterozygosity are observed within different populations for different loci. Solidago shortii is known to be self-incompatible. Therefore, our findings indicate that populations are highly differentiated suggesting restricted gene flow between populations. The genetic uniqueness of each population underscores the need to conserve all populations of this species.

Key words: Solidago shortii , Asteraceae, endangered species, isozymes