V 



Wild-Flower Study 557 



LESSON CXXXVI 

 THE GOLDENROD 



Leading thouglit In the goldenrod the flower-heads or families are so 

 small that, in order to attract the attention of the insects, they are set 

 closely together along the stem to produce a mass of color. 



Method Bring to the school-room any kind of goldenrod, and give the 

 lesson on the flowers there. This should be followed by a field excursion 

 to get as many kinds of goldenrod as possible. The following observa- 

 tions will bring out differences in well-marked species : 



Observations i. Use Lesson CXXXV to study 

 the flower. How many banner-flowers in the family ? 

 How many disk-flowers ? Are the banners arranged 

 as regularly around the edges as in the asters and 

 daisies? How are the flower-heads set upon the 

 stems? Which flower-heads open first those at 

 the base or at the tip of the stem? Do the upper 

 stems of the plant blossom before those lower down? 

 2. Do the stems bearing flowers come from the 

 axils of the leaves? What is the general shape of 

 the flower branches? Do they come off evenly at 

 and ban- each side, or more at one side? Are the flower 

 ner-flower of goldenrod, branches long or short? Make a sketch of the 



general shape of the goldenrod you are studying. 



3. Is the stem smooth, downy, or covered with bloom? What is 

 its color? In cross-section, is it circular or angular? 



4. What is the shape and form of the edges of the lower leaves? The 

 upper ones 5 Are they set with, or without, petioles on the stem? Do 

 they have a heart-shaped base? Are the leaves smooth or downy? Are 

 they light, or dark green? 



5. Field notes. Where do you find the goldenrod growing? Do you 

 find one kind growing alone or several kinds growing together? Do you 

 find any growing in the woods? If so, how do they differ in shape from 

 those in the field? 



6. How many kinds of insects do you find visiting goldenrod flowers? 

 How many kinds of galls do you find on the goldenrod stems and leaves? 



7 . Study the goldenrods in November. Describe their seeds and how 

 they are scattered. 



"/ am alone with nature, 



With the soft September day; 

 The lifting hills above me, 



With goldenrod are gay. 

 Across the fields of ether 



Flit butterflies at play; 

 A nd cones of garnet sumac 



Glow down the country way. 



"The autumn dandelion 



Beside the roadway burns; 

 Above the lichened bowlders 

 Quiver the plumed ferns. 

 The cream-white silk of the milku-ccil 



Floats from it's sea-green pod; 

 From out the mossy rock-seams 

 Flashes the goldenrod." 



MARY CLEMMER AMES. 



