goldenrod pollen is much heavier than that of ragweed, and
it is spread by bees rather than carried in the wind. A major
pollinator, one of the many reasons goldenrod was chosen
by the state government is because its long stems (up to eight
feet tall) provide food for bees, wasps, butterflies and moths,
as well as provide a haven for birds and small animals.
The goldenrod’s bloom is a pyramid-shaped cluster of
many tiny yellow flowers. The weight of the flower cluster
makes the stem lean such that the blooms curve downward.
The flower is prolific in the late summer to early fall, growing
in open meadows, fields and roadsides. It can grow in full sun
or partial shade, and requires little moisture although it is
not at all bothered by moist conditions—making it a perfect
candidate for places like Kiawah’s Ocean Course, where these
photographs were taken. Typically the blooms last for two
to three weeks, often times mixing with other wildflowers
in open fields. At the Ocean Course for example, I saw
goldenrod mixed in fields of sweetgrass as well as sea oats—
creating a beautiful palette of nature’s colors, especially in the
evening’s golden sunlight.
Besides the Southeast, the tall goldenrod species also grows
across most of the other states except the far Northwest, as
well as in Canada and Mexico. It is alternately known as late
goldenrod or Canadian goldenrod and is one of the 100+
species of plants in the Aster family. O ften the plant’s stems
house “galls,” which are caused by tiny insects that lay their
eggs on the plants. The larva from the insect’s egg then eats
its way into the stem, which forms a protective sheath for the
insect until it hatches in the spring. Several types of insects
are housed in this manner, including flies, moths and midges.
As always, when it comes to the bright yellow goldenrod,
beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The plant is prized as a
formal garden element in Europe and is a welcome addition
to many florists’ bouquets of wildflowers. It is viewed as
a weed among most northern states, and as a dangerous
invasive species in China. Personally, I find its clusters of
golden flowers quite beautiful, especially as they are visited by
our beautiful orange gulf fritillaries and monarch butterflies.
I encourage you to pay attention next fall as they once again
grace our oceanside dunes and open fields. Only then can
you fully appreciate the splendor of these graceful golden
blossoms. NK
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