Goldenrod Flower

When August sunset's yellow blaze
Streams out o'er meadow, field and lawn,
It seeks some shrine wherein its rays
May linger till returning dawn,
And touching gently with its sheen
That graceful plumage of the sod,
Its constellated gems of green
Are changed to glorious Goldenrod

The Goldenrod - Jared Barhite

You will often see them at the side of the road, waving their golden heads of flowers and looking like the golden magic wand. The blossoming of the goldenrod flowers is a sign that autumn is almost here. These flowers mainly grows in the northern part of America and also several parts of Europe. These flowers can be used either to decorate your house or they can also be used to make tea and if cooked properly, they can be eaten as well. There are people who call them weeds (specially in America) and remove them, while some (mainly in Europe) refer to the same as prized flowers or consider them to be signs of good luck and grows them in their garden. If you are interested to know more about the facts and information, then here are some which will help you know more about the flower.

Information

Scientific Name and Description
These flowers are more commonly found in or rather they are native to Europe, Asia, and North and South America. It is usually a wildflower, which grows along the roads and meadows and pastures. But still some people grow them in their garden. The scientific name is Solidago canadensis or Solidago virgaurea and they belong to the family of Asteraceae. The scientific name has been derived from the Latin word which means 'to make whole' and they derive this name due to its various physical properties. These herbaceous perennial plants grows up to a length of 65cm to nearly 2cm and it is the flowers of these plants that makes the plant so attractive. They are brightly colored and yellow and they form a cluster and attract the color sensitive insects which will help these plants in pollination. The leaves of this flowering plant can either be arranged in an alternate manner and they might have either a toothed and rough margin or a smooth margin. The stems are long and slender with hair only on the upper part.

The pollen grains of goldenrods flowers are too heavy to be carried by the wind, hence they are solely dependent on the butterflies, the ants, birds and various other insects which help in carrying these grains.

Uses of the Flowers
As it has already been mentioned above that these flowers are considered to be weeds by the Americans while they are known as 'good luck flowers' in parts of Europe. This flowering plant (wild or good luck flowers) have several uses. The flowers of this plant is specially used to treat problems like diabetes or tuberculosis. It is also used to treat internal bleeding, and problems related to the liver, gout and even problems linked to muscles and joints. They are also used to repel certain insects or pests, for decorating homes and sometimes certain parts of the flowers are also cooked and eaten.

Here are some more interesting facts which I am sure you will find interesting.

• In the year 1926, this flower was declared as the state flower of U.S state, Kentucky and Nebraska.
• People often mistake this flowering plant as the main cause behind the hay fever in autumn. But it's a mistake because it's the ragweed who are the main culprits.

These were some information which will help you know more about these beautiful flowers and if you see them growing either in your garden or on the road side, you will know that autumn is not far away.