Hattie and I ventured out yet again last weekend to our favorite prairie loop trail in search of bugs, butterflies, bees, grasshoppers, and of course, wildflowers! With some luck, we found a new wildflower to check out.
Solidago canadensis, or Canadian Goldenrod, is another plant native to this area. It is a perennial plant that thrives in wet to dry prairies, savannas, and other habitat in this part of the world. From what i can gather on the Google Machine, the plant is native to Canada, but has spread throughout most the United States. I've noticed it everywhere in the savannas and prairies in the Driftless Area near where I live.
The plant itself can grow up to six feet in length. I've noticed in the city that Canadian Goldenrod is pretty tame; very short and the flowers are very small. The plants found on the prairie, however, are beautiful, big, and are flowing fields of color in the wind.
Per my daily nightime reading companion, Common Backyard Weeds of the Upper Midwest, this plant is a favorite of the honey bee.
According to the book, honey made by bees that feed predominately on Canadian Goldenrood is mildly spicy and golden in color. It is noted that plant is often blaimed for allergies and hayfever...something I guess I always thought was true too when I saw this yellow plant in bloom. It is also mentioned that that compounds from the plant might be able to "fight antiboitic-resistant strains"...#amazingnature, indeed!
Another wildflower find to share with the community. I love finding these native plants. Everytime I go out with my daughter to explore, I do feel like I'm growing closer to the Earth and to life. It's actually quite an exhilirating feeling! More to come too, I promise.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my work. Long live the wildflower and the Driftless!