The gold rod (SOLIDAGO spp) is the funny inhabitant of the grasslands that raises his golden plumes at the end of summer. There are more than fifty native species of America and several in Europe.

In total, almost 100 species have been identified. They are perennial plants with colorful clusters of yellow flowers that enjoy a lot of sun, although many can tolerate some shadow. The gold rod has earned its place in the garden, especially in those who seek to attract fauna.

The gold rod is reputed to cause hay fever, but allergies are not usually caused by insect pollinated plants, since their pollen is too large to penetrate the respiratory tract. The problem is usually the most discreet plants pollinated by the wind. Ambrosia has little flashy green flowers that bloom more or less at the same time as the gold rod and spreads its pollen with the wind so you can inhale it and sneeze.

Common and popular names of the gold rod –

Aaron rod, blue mountain tea, Goldruthe, Gonea tea, solidago, vergd’or, wound grass, woundwort, bohea tea

Folklore and symbolism

Folklore/Symbolism Cultural Cultural Significate Fortune and Native RicozaFolClore American Believe that it brings good luck, prosperity and abundance Protection EUROPE EUROPE USE TO MAKE NEGATIVE ENERGIES, EVIL SPIRITS AND PROVIDE SPIRITUAL PROTECTION vitality and strength. Amy and romance cultures symbolizes deep affection, attraction and flowering of love

Varieties

Solidago virgaurea

The European gold rod was used as a scar in Europe and the Middle East. It measures between 1 and 2 meters high and has a plume of yellow flowers that cover the upper half of the stem from the end of summer to autumn. It is located in forests, gutters, dunes and rocky areas. Buy seeds online

Altissima solidago

The high gold rod or late gold rod is an American native species that can reach more than meter and a half high. It has tooth leaves, rough to the touch in the beam and hairy in the underside. It spreads by rhizome and usually grows in colonies that serve as a refuge for small animals and birds.

SOLIDAGO CANADENSIS

Canadian Gold Vara – It is a species very similar to S. Altimissa, so much so that some consider S. Altimissa is a variety of S. canadensis rather than a different species. The Canadian gold rod has shorter floral bracts than the high gold rod. It is a founding plant that quickly colonizes the altered areas, but which does not like the shadow. Although it is a very appreciated wild The Canadian gold rod has an allelopathic effect (suppresses growth) on some plants, such as sugar. maple.

Giant solidago

Giant gold rod, smooth gold rod, early gold rod – is the largest of the gold rods and the state flower of Kentucky and Nebraska. It can reach two meters high and is not as hairy as many of its cousins.

RIGID SOLIDAGO O OLIGONEURON RIGIDUM

Robust gold rod – is native to the west and east of the United States and southeast of Canada. It reaches 2 to 5 feet high and is one of the most popular gold rods for the garden.

SOLIDAGO ODORA

The sweet gold rod, anisada gold rod, fragrant gold rod – is originally from North America and was used as medicine by Native Americans. It is the national flower of Delaware.

Bicolor solidago

The silver rod, white gold rod, is a kind of native gold rod of America that has white flowers instead of yellow and that appear in the armpits of the leaves instead of in clusters in the upper part. It is also a fairly lineing plant compared to its peers.

SOLIDAGO CAESIA

Crown gold rod, blue stem gold rod – is another interesting variety with its yellow flowers that appear in the armpits instead of usual terminal clusters. It has a thin stem of dark color.

Specious solidago

Displayed gold rod: it is one of the most attractive species, with very colorful yellow flowers. It is very popular among the gardeners, since it is not only beautiful, but also quite difficult to kill.

Solidago It comes from Latin weld «Make whole» (as is done with a welder)

Thomas Edison’s Ford T tires were made of gold rod. The gold rod contains about 7% rubber naturally and through experimentation and cultivation fertilizers, Edison produced a six -foot high gold rod containing 12% rubber.

Henry Ford was associated with Edison, Harvey Firestone and George Washington Carver to bring these experiments to production and seemed to work, but the synthetic rubber appeared on the scene and the gold rod project was abandoned. S. Leavenworthii It contains the greatest amount of rubber of all Goldenrods. (You can visit the laboratory where these experiments were carried out in Florida)

Wild gold rod

There are many types of gold rod; Identifying the specific type you are looking for can be difficult.

The gold rod can be found in sunny meadows and forest edges with poor and sandy soils.

Gold rod in the garden

The gold rod is essential in any planted garden to encourage wildlife. The gold rod is a primary nectar source for migratory monarch butterflies, as well as a late snack for many other species. Bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies and beetles enjoy the nectar, and the larvae of many species feed on the leaves.

The fly and the crab spider also have their home in the golden rod. Eastern jilguero and sparrow sparrow feed on gold rod seeds and many animals take refuge in gold rods. Deer, rabbits and musk rats eat gold rod.

Several varieties of gold rod have been introduced into the garden trade and there may also be improved cultivars of these. If the golden rod grows wild near you, do not hesitate to visit a position at the end of autumn and collect some of the seeds before they turn to plant them in your own garden.

The gold rod is suitable for wild flower gardens, wildlife gardens, butterfly gardens, bee gardens, cabin gardens, fairy gardens and gardens of herbs planted in full sun or in partial shadow with well drained soil. He does not like swampy situations or shadow, but otherwise he is not demanding. The highest species must be protected from the wind so that they do not get horizontal. It will not harm the plants, but will ruin the effect of greatness that is sought.

Spread the gold rod seeds on the clean and prepared earth and cover them slightly with a thin layer of earth. I would plant them in autumn or stratify them in the freezer for a few weeks and then submerge them in cold water before planting them. Water them very slightly so as not to drag the seeds, but laugh them frequently until they are established. When the seedlings appear, acloárs at about 30 cm away.

The gold rod spreads by rhizomes and seeds dispersed by the wind in beautiful hairy parachutes. It can become very invasive and not everyone considers it desirable, so it is a good idea to cut the gold rod flowers when they begin to darken and wither before they go to the seed to avoid excessive propagation.

It is likely that it forms a massif or colony, which must divide every few years to maintain healthy and strong plants. Your Goldenrods will not need fertilizer, they are very good on poor soils.

If you want to harvest your gold rod flowers for dry floral arrangements or to make tea, cut them on the day the capullos are opened, just after the dew dried, and Cuelguelas face down in a warm place and with good ventilation, shelter of the sun.

Culinary Uses of the Gold Wad

The leaves and flowers of the gold rod constitute a pleasant infusion. The sweet gold rod has a pleasant anisado flavor.

The whole plant is edible and can be cooked as a vegetable, but there are similar plants that are toxic, so you have to be very careful with your identification.

Curative uses of the gold rod

The flowers of solidago virgaurea or European gold rod can be collected, dry and used in a tisana alone or combined with straw of the meadows and dead orthiga to clean the kidneys and bladder and help expel the calculations. Infusion can also be taken as general anti -inflammatory and to relieve congestion.

Curative property APPLICATION BENEFICIOS BY -INFLAMATORY INFUSIONS, TINTURES O Antifungal for the healing of woundsalivio of the allergiaremedios based on plants for seasonal allergies and relieve symptoms such as sneezing, congestion and itchingTable 2: Curative and medicinal properties of the gold rod

At dye or decoction of leaves and flowers can also be used to wash wounds in order to prevent infections and accelerate healing. It can also be used to combat fungi and yeast infections. It can be used as mouthwash or shower if necessary.

Altissima solidago or high gold rod and SOLIDAGO CANADENSIS The American natives used the flowers of the golden rod lock in …