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 ....