Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 33 | Page 57

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 55