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By: Jerome A. Jackson
Goldenrod blooms.
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Roadsides and fence lines can be ribbons of rich yellow in October as goldenrod enters its peak bloom in Southwest Florida. Of the nearly 100 species of goldenrod native to North America, several occur in Florida. Goldenrod sprays of tiny, yellow flowers atop a one- to five-foot stem can appear as a golden fireworks display frozen in the autumn sun. Different goldenrods can sometimes be separated by the habitats they thrive in, sometimes by form, but mostly by subtleties such as presence or absence of a hairy stem. Goldenrods are creatures of the sun and hardy pioneers of disturbed areas. Some favor coastal habitats; others are flowers of open pinelands.
Tea made from goldenrod flowers or leaves has been used in folk medicine to treat everything from bladder infections to sore throats. Early Europeans and Native Americans used goldenrod leaves to treat wounds. Indeed, the scientific name for goldenrod, Solidago, comes from the Latin word solidare, "to make firm."
Goldenrod is wrongly associated with fall allergies. Its conspicuous flowers attract insects that carry pollen from plant to plant. Fall allergies are linked with plants like common ragweed that depend on wind to carry their pollen. They produce an abundance of pollen to ensure delivery to the right flowers, but have no need for splashy color. Inconspicuous and wind-pollinated common ragweed lives a stealth existence as a neighbor to goldenrod.
Available in many nurseries, goldenrod can provide a striking backdrop for flowerbeds. In Europe, it is a staple of fall gardens. Most varieties sold in Europe are North American goldenrods-ones we enjoy in abundance for free.
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