GOLDENROD GETS A BAD RAP By Lyn Chimera

that don’t have the hole can be cut open to spread as fast. Contrary to popular belief goldenrod does reveal the larva inside. NOT cause hay fever! The pollen of gold- There’s even one for shadier enrod is sticky, so it’s not light enough to Thomas Edison experimented with goldenrod areas, Blue stemmed golden- be carried in the wind. When bees and to produce rubber from the sap in its leaves. rod (Solidago caesia). It other pollinators visit goldenrods, the pol- The model T that his friend Henry Ford gave has a lovely arching habit len sticks to their legs and is carried from him had tires made from goldenrod! During with the blooms growing plant to plant by the insects, not affecting World War II goldenrod was processed as a along the stem. humans at all. source of rubber, but it proved to have poor Of the ones I grow, Fireworks stretching qualities and was discontinued. goldenrod (Solidago rugose) is Most people consider goldenrod a weed Goldenrod also has some medicinal qualities. my favorite (see photo from my and would never even think of adding it to Herbal medicine practitioners use it as a kid- their garden however it’s one of my favor- garden p. 1). It is such a striking ite plants. What would fall be like without plant. It has the same bright its beautiful yellow color? It’s a North yellow color but the flowering American native in the aster family. There branches shoot out from the are about 100 species of goldenrod 4 of stem and really look like fire- which I grow in my garden (see plants works! People often stop and listed below). It’s a beautiful plant with a ask me what the beautiful yellow lot of food value for nature. It’s a great cut plant in the front is. They are flower too, often included in florist’s bou- shocked when I tell them it’s quets. goldenrod!

The name goldenrod comes from the Goldenrod seeds freely and also beautiful golden color of its flower and its spreads by its roots. To avoid stiff rod like stem. The beautiful bright spreading, simply cut off the yellow blossoms brighten up many a fall blossom heads right after the field. For me it was always a signal that ney tonic and Native Americans chewed the blooms fade and before the the start of another school year wasn’t far leaves to relieve sore throats and the roots to seed is set. Give one a try. You’ll off. help toothaches. love it and so will the birds and bees! There’s actually an official color called It’s interesting to note that in Europe golden- goldenrod, which is a bright, vibrant yel- rod has been a welcome addition to garden low. beds for a long time. In the US, however, Besides its beauty at the end of the sum- most people consider it a weed. It’s only been mer, goldenrod provides nectar for bees, in the last 30 years that people have begun to flies, wasps and many species of butterfly appreciate its beauty in their gardens. Those of you who like to attract butterflies may want as well as being a food source for many Cornell Cooperative Extension is an butterfly larvae. The stem of the goldenrod to include a few goldenrod plants in your gar- employer and educator recognized for forms a gall or bulbous firm tissue mass den. valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and around the invading larva. The larva feed The ones I grow are: on the tissue inside these galls. Some provides equal program and employ- ment opportunities. beneficial insects lay their eggs in these Common field goldenrod (Solidago ©Copyright 2018. galls which then feed on the larva. Wood- canadensis) is a great garden plant for All Rights Reserved. peckers also feed on the larva by pecking full sun. Nothing seems to bother it, includ- a hole in the gall and eating the larva. It’s ing deer. a great example of the circle of life. It’s fun Zig-Zag goldenrod (Solidago flexicau- to show children these galls in the winter. lis) has an interesting growth pattern, Some will have woodpecker holes in them the stem actually had a slight zig and zag indicating the larva has been eaten. Those 21 South Grove Street between leaves and it doesn’t seem to East Aurora, NY 14052

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