Solidago Notable Native Herb™ 2017
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Solidago Notable Native Herb™ 2017 An HSA Native Herb Selection 1 Medical Disclaimer Published by It is the policy of The Herb Society Native Herb Conservation Committee of America not to advise or The Herb Society of America, Inc. recommend herbs for medicinal or Spring 2016. health use. This information is intended for educational purposes With grateful appreciation for assistance with only and should not be considered research, writing, photography, and editing: as a recommendation or an Katherine Schlosser, committee chair endorsement of any particular Susan Betz medical or health treatment. Carol Ann Harlos Elizabeth Kennel Debra Knapke Maryann Readal Dava Stravinsky Lois Sutton Linda Wells Thanks also to Karen O’Brien, Botany & Horticulture Chair, and Jackie Johnson, Publications Chair, for their assistance and encouragement. Note on Nomenclature Where noted, botanical names have been updated following: GRIN—US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Germplasm Resource Information Network. Available from http://www.ars-grin.gov/ The Plant List—A working list of all plant species. Version 1.1 K. K. Schlosser Available from: http://www.theplantlist.org/ FRONT COVER and above: Solidago gigantea ITIS—Integrated Taxonomic Information System. A partnership of federal agencies formed to satisfy their mutual in West Jefferson, NC, in September. needs for scientifically credible taxonomic information. Available from: http://www.itis.gov/# 2 Susan Betz Table of Contents An HSA Notable Native Herb™ Selection 5 State Flowers/Wildflowers/Herbs 7 Species of Note 8 September 9 A Word About Cultivars 10 Pollinators & Solidago Solidago Species as Herbs 12 Legends 15 Household uses 16 Growing Goldenrod 17 Goldenrod for Sun, Shade, and Other Uses 18 Endangered, Threatened Species 20 Solidago, Euthamia, and Oligoneuron 24 The Legend of the Aster and Goldenrod 27 Literature Cited and References 28 3 I visited the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, in June where there was an installation of apothecary bottles by ceramic artist Nici Ruggiero entitled Curse or Cure. Of course, when I came across the bottle of "Golden Rod" I thought of our Notable Native and had to have a photo. Following is a link to CPG for an overview and second link to her website so you can see how they were displayed throughout the garden. http://chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/special-events/curse-or-cure/ ~ Photo submitted by Dava Stravinsky 4 Solidago: HSA Notable Native Herb™ 2017 Goldenrod collectively, is a delight to the eye, for its color and indispensable factor in the landscape. For decorative purposes it is eminently satisfactory, sought out and beloved by all men, as is amply proved by ‘goldenrod weddings’ and by the numerous jars, pitchers, water cans and bean pots filled with it that decorate suburban's stoops. Mabel Osgood Wright- 1901 Writer, Photographer, and Founder of CT Audubon Society Growing along our roadsides, filling vacant fields and along forest edges, the seventy-seven species of goldenrod across North America, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico make Solidago a truly American genus. There is not a single state devoid of at least one native goldenrod species, and many have multiple species growing within their boundaries. There are, in addition, a few species native to South America and 6 or 7 in Eurasia (Laphitz and Semple, 2015). Identifying species can be a challenge Within a 28 page identification Key, the genus Solidago includes an additional 5 Keys to navigate when attempting an identification—a daunting task. For example: Herbs usually rhizomatus (when short forming tufts of stems and when long often forming extensive colonies), stems erect to arching, solid. Leaves alternate, cauline, often also basal...Heads few- to many- flowered, in corymbs [often flat-topped, as in S. rigida. Ed.] or panicles. Flowers radiate and discoid, rays pistillate, yellow or white, disc flowers perfect, yellow. Involucres cylindric or, when many-flowered, campanulate, with imbricate bracts (overlapping or layered). [Weakley, 2015] Adding to the confusion are two genera of plants commonly known as goldenrod, Euthamia and Oligoneuron. A short discussion of these genera appears on page 23, giving an indication of the difficulties of identifying plants known as goldenrod. Panicles Imbricate bracts 5 Selection Criteria for a Notable Native Herb™ To bring attention to the vast selection of herbs which trace their origins to North America, The Herb Society of America’s Native Herb Conservation Committee selects a genus or species each year. Criteria for selection include usefulness (food, flavoring, beverage, medicine, fragrance, industrial, and household) whether past or present, availability, and range. At times, availability takes a back seat to the interest of study across the range of our membership. To adjust for the possibility of limited availability, an attempt is made to alternate with more widely accessible herbs with a broader range in alternate years. As a widespread genus, Solidago meets many of the criteria for selection. Its uses include nearly all of those listed, primarily medicinal uses. States in which one or more Solidago species grow naturally are shaded in green. Some Solidago species have a limited native range. Solidago albopilosa E.L. Braun, whitehair goldenrod, occurs only in three contiguous counties (Powell, Wolfe, and Menifee) in eastern Kentucky and is Federally listed as Threatened. Others (S. altissima, S. canadensis, S. gigantea, S. hispida, S. missouriensis, S. nemoralis, S. simplex, S. speciosa, and S. ulmifolia) reach across more than half of the Lower 48. This one, likely S. canadensis, wins the prize for sheer moxie, clinging to a rock at Niagara Falls, NY. It was spotted and photographed by Karen O’Brien. 6 State Flowers/Wildflowers/Herbs The following five states have awarded particular distinction to a species of goldenrod. Delaware: Adopted June 24, 1996, Sweet Golden Rod ( Solidago odora ) was named Delaware's State Herb. Members of the International Herb Growers and Marketers Association of Delaware suggested that the herb Solidago odora, commonly known as Sweet Golden Rod, because of its beautiful golden blossoms, would be especially appropriate as the designated herb. Kentucky: Solidago gigantea was named the state flower for Kentucky in 1926 and is used on the state flag where it encircles the state seal. Nebraska: Goldenrod was named the official state flower in Nebraska in 1895, identified then as S. serotina, which is now S. gigantea. South Carolina: Designated S. altissima as the state wildflower in 2003. Alabama: Schoolchildren had it right, but the ladies of a garden club lobbied to remove the children’s choice and replace it with something they found more pleasing: Goldenrod was once the state flower of Alabama but was ousted by camellia (Camellia japonica) in 1959. According to the Director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History school children had chosen goldenrod because of its ability to grow almost anywhere and its brightening of the autumn season. It was made the official state flower in 1927 but women in Butler County thought it weed-like and a wildflower so it was replaced. In 1999, Alabama named Oak Leaf Hydrangea as the State Wildflower. Alabama Department of Archives and History http://www.archives.alabama.gov/kids_emblems/st_flower.html Karen O’Brien Solidago in a Blue Mounds State Park prairie in Minnesota. Karen O’Brien. 7 Species of Note Solidago altissima is the tallest of the goldenrods, topping out at six feet or more. It grows in all states except Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Puerto Rico. It makes a great structural statement at the back of a wildflower garden, but within two years displays its aggressive habit. The stoloniferous plants send runners just above or below the soil, forming large colonies. It is here recommended for use in large meadows that can handle a growing population. Solidago bicolor, silverrod or white goldenrod, is the only one with white flowers. From a bit of a distance, the flowers may appear yellowish, but on close inspection you will see that the petals are white and it is the stamens that are yellow. The plant usually has a single stem and does not form dense clumps as do most goldenrods. It grows in the eastern part of the country. Solidago gigantea is a runner-up for tallest, also reaching six feet in good soil. Solidago odora is a sweet, anise-scented plant. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and have been used to create beverages, and in medicines to make them taste better. It has been explored for use in the perfume industry. Solidago nemoralis, gray goldenrod, can reach nearly 24” tall, but in lean soil reaches only 6”, giving it recognition one of the smallest of the genus. Solidago bicolor. Kathy Schlosser 8 Solidago (S. caesia here) in the Fall garden serves as an accent for the mauve, purple, burgundy, red, and gold of seasonal flowers or as a stand-alone focal point. Photo: Debra Knapke September The golden-rod is yellow; By all these lovely tokens The corn is turning brown; September days are here, The trees in apple orchards With summer's best of weather, With fruit are bending down. And autumn's best of cheer. The gentian's bluest fringes But none of all this beauty Are curling in the sun; Which floods the earth and air In dusty pods the milkweed Is unto me the secret Its hidden silk has spun. Which makes September fair. The sedges flaunt their harvest, 'T is a thing which I remember; In every meadow nook; To name it thrills me yet: And asters by the brook-side One day of one September Make asters in the brook, I never can forget. From dewy lanes at morning Helen Hunt Jackson The grapes' sweet odors rise; 1830-1885, Amherst, MA At noon the roads all flutter Milkweed seed pod.