Solidago missouriensis

August 22, 2018 00:05:20
Solidago missouriensis
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey
Solidago missouriensis

Aug 22 2018 | 00:05:20

/

Show Notes

I grew up in Kentucky where the state flower is goldenrod. The particular species that has that honor is Solidago gigantea. I wonder how it was chosen as there are 30 species of goldenrod found in the state. In the vacant lots of my childhood neighborhood tall goldenrods towered over me in glorious bright yellow bloom every fall and I remember that sneezing and watery eyed Kentuckians would blame goldenrod for their terrible allergies. Even nowadays when I mention I grow goldenrod, folks will respond with stories of their terrible goldenrod allergies. I try to explain that Solidago pollen is not wind born, and only spread by pollinators and that their allergies are from other fall bloomers that have wind born pollen. In Kentucky as elsewhere, that would be species of Ambrosia or ragweed. My defense of goldenrod falls on deaf ears and I don’t sell many goldenrod, but I sure do plant them around our place, especially Solidago missouriensis.

There are eleven species of goldenrod found in Arizona and you can find a species somewhere in the state from 2,000’ to 9,500’ in elevation. So no matter where you live in the state you can blame your fall allergies on a Solidago species. Ha!

The photos are mine and taken at our place.  You can see that Solidago missouriensis spreads from the roots and becomes quite a clump…a golden flowering clump.

Other Episodes

Episode 0

March 09, 2021 00:05:08
Episode Cover

Scotoleon niger

Here are some photos I took out along the ‘Ol Guajolote of the cones made in the sand by antlions, an antlion in my...

Listen

Episode

September 21, 2015
Episode Cover

Epazote

Petey is excited about finding a wonderful weedy herb in the Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae)  growing along the banks of the ol’ Guajolote.

Listen

Episode

June 06, 2016
Episode Cover

Leptotes marina

There are so many species of Blues across North America and I was delighted to figure out the species in abundance at our little...

Listen