People suffering from allergies in September look for a flower to blame and goldenrod gets the rap because it is so visible and abundant. The pollen grains of goldenrod, as is true of all insect-pollinated flowers, are comparatively fat and sticky so that they will adhere to visiting insects and be transferred by them to another flower. In order for a person to be affected by goldenrod pollen, they would have to stick their nose right into the flower just like a bee would! Great Plains Nature Center
Date Submitted: September 12, 2009
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/12/09
Observation Time: 11:25 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Plant or Animal? Plant
Common Name: Goldenrod
Scientific Name: Solidago sp.
Comments: Goldenrod gets a bad rap as a cause of autumn allergies. The real culprit is ragweed. In fact, goldenrod has medicinal properties.
More Information: Great Plains Nature Center