This perennial, native member of the aster family is in the same genus as most of the goldenrod species of the state but is the only one with white or cream-colored flowers. These are small and crowded on a vertical spike or wand and grow from the leaf axils. The central disk is usually yellow. Individual flower heads have only 7-9 ray florets and are about ¼ inch wide. The bracts under the flower head may be light green or whitish. This is unlike the plume-shaped flowers of some goldenrods. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including honeybees and butterflies. Songbirds eat the seeds.  

The plant grows 1-3 feet tall in dry open woods, along roadsides or at the edges of woods. It prefers dry or sandy soil. The greyish or reddish stem is usually without branches and is covered with fine hair. The basal leaves are spatula-shaped blunt at the tips, and hairy. They also have round-toothed edges. The basal leaves are stalked, while the alternate stem leaves are small, pointed and have no stalks and may not have teeth. The stems are thin and wiry.

It is found across southern Canada and in much of the eastern half of the United States except Florida.  It is documented throughout Pennsylvania but does seem especially common.  The blooming period is July to October, depending on location.  In Western Pennsylvania, it usually blooms in August.