Ecological Day
Goldenrod
Solidago altissima
Goldenrod is the State flower for KY. The golden plumes of this wildflower line Kentucky's roadsides in the fall. Native to all of Kentucky, 30 of nearly 100 species of this herb are found here. They are all perennials with large clusters of small yellow flowers that appear from the end of summer until frost. The leaves of goldenrods are simple, lance or egg shaped and usually have a toothed margin. Most species propagate by a spreading root system in addition to seed. In the fall they are often blamed by allergy sufferers for their allergies, but the real culprit is ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Insects love the goldenrod!
This plant grows over most of North America and is usually seen in pastures and growing beside the roadways. It is also the state flower of Nebraska.
posted by Rachel at 9:45 AM
16 Comments:
How very interesting, I had no idea that Goldenrod was your State flower! We have it growing along roadways here and in fields...now I'll always think of you when I see it:-) xoxo
We have it growing along the roadsides, edges of the woods and fields in the fall as well. It brightens the landscape, like sunshine.
Interesting post, and lovely pictures.
Hope you're having a good day!
Renie
Great pictures...thanks for the history.
I don't know the state flower for Florida. I should.
I knew that Goldenrod was the state flower of Kentucky but I didn't know that it was this flower, or these flowers. No wonder they grow like weeds around here, hehehe.
Goldenrod is very pretty and we see it often along our fields and roads.
Great pics. Goldenrods would make a pretty landscape painting. I wish we had this flower in Florida...so we could see more butterflies. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel,
I LOVE Goldenrod and we have a lot of it in our area. These pictures are pretty! I've taken pics of this plant on some of our rides!
Our state flower is the Orange Blossoms! :) And there's no sweeter smell in the whole world!
Junie
Nice pictures! We have a lot of goldenrod here. There is one variety that grows along the beaches and in the dunes. The Monarch butterflies rest and eat there on their fall migration. Sometimes we see thousands of Monarchs along the shore's edge.
I think Goldenrod is so pretty growning along the side of our roads. I am so allergic to ragweed, too, and like you say a lot of people think it is goldenrod. I think we have a very beautiful state.
I didn't know Goldenrod was a herb or your state flower. Live and Learn.
Ralph
I do like Goldenrod, and you are right it is our state flower(Nebraska's). I didn't know that any other states had it as a state flower!
Goldenrod,huh.Interesting seeing I live in ky.I would like to change it to the blackeyed susan in honor of my mother.She loves those growing wild in KY.Can you take care of that for me :)
Thank you for posting this. Mrs. Jim gave me ONE cluster for Father's Day one year. It almost took over our flower bed, Adi and I killed that (search blog for 'Killed by Jim and Adi' in the top left search window).
;-)
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So YOUR state flower is the same as CLIFF's state flower.
Hmmmm.
I wonder which state Goldenrod likes best?
It sure is pretty.
I don't see much Goldenrod close to my home but there is lots in the county. I think it's just beautiful. Several years ago I saw a picture on the back cover of a magazine of a laughing elderly woman holding an armful of this pretty wild flower. I loved that picture but haven't seen it in ages.
Is this the same Goldenrod that is used as a natural antibotic?
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