Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), one of many species of goldenrod that are native to Virginia. There are 40 or 50 species of the plant that grow in the state. Across North America there are more than 100 native species.

Wreath Goldenrod is a bit different from many other species of goldenrod, with small bunches of their yellow blooms emerging from the spot where the leaves meet the stem, the leaf axil, from one end of the stem to the other. Most often other species of goldenrods only bloom at the top several inches of their willowy stems.

Sneezing a lot these days? The pollen grains of goldenrod are not responsible for hay fever. Those pollen grains are heavy, sticky, and are not wind dispersed. The culprit is Ragweed (Ambrosia). Billions of pollen grains are produced by the green flowers of Ragweed. Those pollen grains are distributed in the wind. Ragweed flowers are inconspicuous, while goldenrod flowers are eye catching. Both these flowers are blooming at the same time, while hay fever is bothering many people, and which bloom comes to mind? Certainly not the inconspicuous green flowers, but the showy yellow flowers of goldenrod.

Ah, beautiful brilliant yellow blooms of Wreath Goldenrod. I’ll take them over the green Ragweed flowers any day.

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