"To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival."
Wendell Berry
Solidago - Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a flowering herb like plant with many species. It is found in open areas such as ditches, prairies, meadows and savannas. It is native mainly to North America but also to other countries. The Goldenrod reproduces by rhizomes, woody caudices and windblown seeds.
It provides an abundant source of nectar and pollen for bumble bees, pollinators such as butterflies and hoverflies and other insects. It continues to provide nectar during summer and into late fall. Goldenrod provides insect food to winter birds in galls. These galls or thickenings in the stem are the result of the gall fly that spends its entire lifecycle on the goldenrod plant. In the winter these galls provide food for woodpeckers and chickadees.
First nation's people used Solidago leaves to relieve sore throats and chewed the roots to relieve toothaches. It is also used by some herbal medicine practitioners to counter inflammation and irritation caused by bacterial infections or kidney stones. Goldenrod has also been used as part of a tincture to aid in cleansing of the kidney or bladder during a healing fast.
Protecting and esteeming pollinating plants that provide vital habitat for honeybees, wild bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects will help ensure that we will continue to be able to grow fruit, cereal, and forage crops that depend on pollinating insects.
Jackie Braga
Wendell Berry
Solidago - Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a flowering herb like plant with many species. It is found in open areas such as ditches, prairies, meadows and savannas. It is native mainly to North America but also to other countries. The Goldenrod reproduces by rhizomes, woody caudices and windblown seeds.
It provides an abundant source of nectar and pollen for bumble bees, pollinators such as butterflies and hoverflies and other insects. It continues to provide nectar during summer and into late fall. Goldenrod provides insect food to winter birds in galls. These galls or thickenings in the stem are the result of the gall fly that spends its entire lifecycle on the goldenrod plant. In the winter these galls provide food for woodpeckers and chickadees.
First nation's people used Solidago leaves to relieve sore throats and chewed the roots to relieve toothaches. It is also used by some herbal medicine practitioners to counter inflammation and irritation caused by bacterial infections or kidney stones. Goldenrod has also been used as part of a tincture to aid in cleansing of the kidney or bladder during a healing fast.
Protecting and esteeming pollinating plants that provide vital habitat for honeybees, wild bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects will help ensure that we will continue to be able to grow fruit, cereal, and forage crops that depend on pollinating insects.
Jackie Braga