Goldenrod

flowers · fall · sunflower family

Part of sunflower family. Goldenrod belongs to the Asteraceae family, the same large plant family that includes sunflowers, daisies, and asters. This makes it related to hundreds of other flowering plants around the world.

Brilliant golden blooms. Goldenrod gets its name from its cheerful yellow flowers that appear in late summer and early fall. The flowers grow in thick clusters that look like little pompoms packed together.

Wrongly blamed for allergies. Many people think goldenrod causes fall allergies, but it's actually innocent. The real culprit is ragweed, which blooms at the same time and has invisible pollen that floats through the air. Goldenrod's heavier pollen is sticky and carried by bees, not wind.

Bee and butterfly magnet. Goldenrod is one of the best plants for attracting pollinators in the fall when flowers are scarce. Bees and butterflies love it because it provides lots of nectar right when they need energy before winter.

Found across North America. Over 100 different species of goldenrod grow across North America, from Canada to Mexico. Some species also live in Europe and Asia, making this flowering plant a true continent-hopper.