Goldenrod Gets A Bad Rap This Time Of Year

It might be Fall and the weather is definitely turning colder but that doesn't mean we don't have plants in bloom in the Hudson Valley.

Just yesterday I rounded the corner of my driveway and I could hear tucked in a big bush the sound of buzzing. I investigated hoping I didn't have a big paper wasp nest and much to my surprise I found some miniature daisies that had bloomed and the bees were hard at work gathering all the pollen.

Goldenrod is in Bloom in New York and that is a Good Thing

This has been a crazy year for pollen and allergies. Grass pollen was high all summer and now we are contending with more grass pollen plus Ragweed, Goldenrod, and reportedly mold. The grass and mold we can do without but the other two plants are on a list to help support our Fall pollinators.

SEE Also: Who Are the Local Pollinators in the Hudson Valley

According to the U.S. Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest both Goldenrod and Rag Weed are very important to our Fall eco-system. Several bee species rely on Golden Rod as a food source this time of year and birds live on the seeds in the winter.

Goldenrods are an important pollinator species that provide food and shelter for 115 butterfly and moth species in North America and a critical food source for monarchs on their long trek to Mexico. (U.S. Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest via Facebook)

 

SEE Also: Easy Plant to Grow That Pollinators Love

The U.S. Forest Service also mentions that Goldenrod has to be insect-pollinated due to the weight of the pollen. It is heavy which is also why it is not to blame for our late-season allergies. Instead, the allergies are linked to ragweed which has light pollen and can be carried in the wind. Goldenrod actually helps combat seasonal allergies.

Mount Sinai says that Goldenrod treats many ailments. In an article at mountsinai.org, they mention that it has been used to heal wounds and reduce inflammation as it is a diuretic.

Goldenrod has also been used to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthma, and arthritis. In folk medicine, it is used as a mouth rinse to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat. (via mountsinai.org)

There are about 17 types of Goldenrodwhich includes one that is extremely rare, Cutler's Goldenrod which only grows in alpine regions in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and New York.

Want to combat your allergies? Consider Goldenrod. Also, make sure you rinse your hair and face pollen can build up on your hair and get all over your pillows leaving you sleeping on a pollen-covered pillow.

Another good idea is to start using local honey and fortunately, I have put together a list of places you can visit to pick up fresh local honey.

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