Guilt by association. It's not me.

We’ve all heard the term, “guilty by association”, and our mother’s all warned us older individuals in our younger days, we must be careful who we hang around. Well nature has a way of some of its inhabitants being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting the blame for something by which a nearby neighbor is responsible. This time of year a very showy, wild, perennial displays its vibrant yellow plume-like inflorescence along roadsides and along edges of fields and is the target of many a n individuals ire. This plant is the Common Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis, but often is angrily identified by many an allergy sufferer as ragweed.
About this time of year the Common Ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, sports its very inconspicuous inflorescence releasing its pollen across the countryside effecting allergy sufferers all around. However, poor timing by the goldenrod , who catches the eye of all passerby’s gets itself held responsible for this activity and potentially targeted for “artificial selection” by means of removal, while the “quietly” blooming ragweed is allowed to pro-create for weeks. (Note picture above. Goldenrod on left, ragweed on right.) These pictures show the blooming ragweed and the plant that supports the structure of dispersal. There is also a species of ragweed known as Ambrosia trifida, commonly referred to as Giant or Great Ragweed. It grows taller and sports a 3 -5 lobed leaf compared to the deeply pinnately dissected leaves of the smaller cousin. (The small leaf on right is common ragweed, while other 2 are from giant ragweed)
While the common ragweed causes so many to suffer, it was used by Native Americans medicinally as a tea in the treatment of fevers, pneumonia, and nausea. It was also used as a tea in the treatment of fear at night. I have often referred to this as an example of “power of suggestion” in medicinal treatments. If the patient believed strong enough that this tea would prevent fear, then I’m not so sure any tea may have worked.
Now look at what has happened. This is an article about goldenrod and we have spent more time discussing ragweed. Goldenrod was also used for many medicinal purposes. The leaves and flowering tops were used as well as the whole plant and roots. It was used internally in the treatment of urinary infections, chronic catarrh, skin diseases, influenza, and whooping cough. It makes an excellent mouthwash in the treatment of thrush as well.
The whole plant is also used to make dyes colored mustard, orange and brown. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and flowers.
So you can see the great value of the goldenrod as well as a need to look at its beauty and not blame it for that series of sneezes you just survived. Put the blame where it belongs…. On the common ragweed. Well that is if you can see it amongst the beauty of the other late summer to fall wildflowers now blooming.

Next time I will discuss a favorite of mine. While it is mostly at the end of its blooming season, Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), is still a very beautiful plant with a good story to tell. I still see an occasional plant in bloom down by our creek bed.

Say hi to the next goldenrod you see and apologize for all the bad names you have called it ....

What's That Purple Flower Out There?

Well … while I recover from my trip out into the pollen laden countryside this morning I have decided to try and start posting some additional thoughts on wildflowers across Tennessee. I am resurrecting my Tennessee Wildflower Blog I started, and have been absent from, back in the spring of 2009. As I allow my allergies to “calm down” a bit, I am looking out the window and observing maybe one of my favorite wild flowers that bloom this time of year. While many look out over the fields this season of the year and point to this weed, many have heard me state before, one can always argue that a weed is merely a misplaced plant. Not only misplaced, but maybe overlooked for its potential with just a little effect of “artificial selection” of its gene pool. I am speaking of Vernonia altissima, commonly known around the southeast as tall ironweed. This herbaceous plant is seen throughout pastures this time of year supporting a very vivid purple “bloom” atop a plant that I have observed averages about 5 or 6 feet tall around Tennessee. If one examines the “bloom” you will discover groupings of 9 or more perfect disc flowers. The leaves of this plant are alternating, and are an oval or lanceolate-oval shape.

This plant is named after William Vernon who was an English botanist who collected this plant in Maryland in the late 1600’s. This plant stands out in pastures this time of year in contrast with the bright yellow goldenrod, which cattle avoid grazing, allowing the plant to stand tall above the grassland.

As with most plants, Ironweed has a history as a medicinal plant used commonly among Native Americans. Let’s remind ourselves that plants produce primary and secondary compounds. The primary compounds; carbohydrates, lipids, peptides and nucleotides, are produced to support life sustaining functions. Secondary compounds are not essential metabolites and are apparently generated as a somewhat defensive response to nature. Many of the compounds serve as a pesticide and anti-grazing agent to help the plant respond to pest and grazing herds. However, very often some of these secondary compounds can, and have been, utilized by humans as medical remedies for a wide range of ailments. These compounds are found in various locations throughout the plants such as leaves, stems, flowers and roots. These compounds are utilized in many ways ranging from poultices, teas, and even inhaling.

The compounds primarily documented in medicinal use of Ironweed are obtained from the roots as an infusion, or tea. This tea was administered for the relief of pain after childbirth and to regulate menstruation. It has also been documented in the treatment of stomach aches and bleeding. Another use of this I found documented in a book by D. Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany, indicated that the infusion was used as a mouth wash to make loose teeth firm.

Well it’s time to go out and spend some time in the fields until I am driven back in by the onslaught of ragweed pollen. I hope that by reading this you will now look out over that pasture as you drive by, or that open area alongside the road, and recognize by name that tall wildflower, and not merely observe them as a grouping of unkempt weeds. I challenge you to also reflect on the fact that in times past many people used such plants to treat their physical needs. Think of that expanse of land you look out over as the medicine-cabinet of days gone by, and ponder where we should go in the future; however, stay focused on the traffic around you also.

Have a wonderful day!