Goldenrod

Description:

Goldenrods are very common wildflowers throughout North America. There are over 50 species of Goldenrod in North America and most of them are very similar and hard to tell apart. All are late bloomers, flowering in late Summer into the Fall. Most species have spectacular displays of bright yellow flowers. Flowers are clustered on long stalks. Most Goldenrods have long, narrow leaves. Some species' leaves have smooth edges and some are toothed. Goldenrods vary in height, with six feet being the tallest (Solidago altissima). Some, such as Solidago odora (Sweet Goldenrod) have pleasant odors.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

One common misconception about goldenrods is that they are a common cause of hay fever. This is not the case. Goldenrod is an insect-pollinated plant that produces very large and sticky pollen grains. Which is all the better to make sure insects come to feed on the pollen and that some gets stuck to the insect's body. This ensures that some of the pollen gets carried to other goldenrods, allowing cross-pollination. Because goldenrod pollen is so large, it doesn't get carried very far on the wind. Goldenrods are extremely important to wildlife. Bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and others visit for nectar and pollen. Caterpillars, aphids, and other small insects eat the leaves and stems. Wasps, spiders, praying mantids, lacewings, ambush bugs, assassin bugs, beetles, and birds prey on the insects Goldenrod attracts. There is even a Goldenrod Spider, who specializes in hiding on these plants! There are also special flies, called Gall Flies, which lay eggs in the stems and leaves of Goldenrod so their larvae can hatch and begin eating. Some insect predators, such as the Praying Mantis, lay their eggs on Goldenrod too, so their babies can feast on insects when they hatch.