Creek goldenrod, ono of the most common goldeurods appearing on the 

 western ranges, is selected for treatment here as in many respects representa- 

 tive of this large and well-known genus. It is widely distributed from British 

 Columbia to Montana, New Mexico, and California. As the common name sug- 

 gests, this species most frequently grows in moist situations, along streams, and 

 in meadows. However, it is able also to inhabit dry soils, sometimes growing 

 on open ridges and timbered slopes, and in weedy flats, although the individuals 

 in such sites usually lack vigor. In the mountain valleys they are a common 

 sight along fences, roads, and ditches. They usually grow in the full sunlight, 

 but are found in the shade along streams and in timber. The species is most 

 common in the ponderosa pine belt, but extends both above and below that 

 zone. In the Rockies it occurs in the aspen-spruce and in the Sierras reaches 

 the red fir, yet on the coast of California and northward it descends to within 

 a few hundred feet of sea level. Willows, dandelions, and flreweed (Chamae- 

 twrion angustifoliwm,} are its frequent plant companions. 



Creek goldenrod not only has relatively low rank as a forage plant but is 

 sometimes regarded as a pest, especially on meadows. However, it is used 

 slightly by livestock as a late season feed. This delayed use is probably due 

 to its low palatability and the fact that it remains green until fall, when most 

 other forage is either exhausted for the season or too dry. In general, this 

 plant rates as poor forage for cattle but fair for sheep. 



Healthy and vigorous individuals of the species are attractive plants, the 

 stems being from 1 to 4 feet in height, closely leafy and topped with a long, 

 dense cluster of many yellow flowers, the appearance of the plant bearing wit- 

 ness to the appropriateness of the common name goldenrod. The flowers 

 are borne for a rather long period, being a commonplace sight from July to 

 September. 



GOLDENRODS (Solida'go spp.) 



The goldenrods compose a large genus, including some 130 species of the 

 sunflower family (Compositae). The genus is chiefly North American, about 

 60 species occurring in the eastern part of the country, with about half as 

 many in the West, and a few in Mexico, South America, Europe, and north- 

 ern Asia. Their wide distribution, abundance, and attractiveness are dem- 

 onstrated by the fact that Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Nebraska 

 have selected the genus or some of its species for their respective State flowers. 



Several species have been grown as garden plants, as borders, or for mass 

 effects, but such uses have been somewhat limited. The late Thomas A. Edi- 

 son focused wide attention upon the genus when he discovered it contained 

 rubber. Polhamus, 1 after examining 24 eastern species, found that only the 

 leaves contained appreciable amounts of rubber, and that only two species of 

 the group studied were adapted for commercialization. Since the quantity of 

 rubber varied with individuals of the same species, he suggests the possibility 

 of developing a leafy variety rich in rubber latex by selection. In ancient 

 times certain species of goldenrod were supposed to have wound-healing prop- 

 erties. The generic name Solidago, from the Latin solidus and ago, to unite 

 firmly, comes from this purported use and value. 



Most of the many goldenrods on the western ranges are similar to creek 

 goldenrod in general aspect and relatively low forage value. The variations 

 within the genus are interesting. Certain range species, as S. parryi, have 

 larger, entire leaves and flowers and somewhat the aspect of arnicas (Arnica 

 spp.), except that the leaves are alternate instead of opposite. S. pumila, is 

 a low, entire-leaved, many-stemmed herb which resembles some species of wild- 

 daisies (Erigcron spp.). Still others, at first glance, suggest groundsels (Sene- 

 cio spp.). As a genus, however, they have many constant characters, being 

 perennial herbs, with alternate, mostly toothed, leaves, the basal ones often 

 in conspicuous tufts (rosettes), and few to many small, erect flower heads. 

 Each flower head is surrounded by two or more unequal and overlapping se- 

 ries of bracts and is composed of small, yellow (very rarely white) flowers, 

 the outer ones strap-shaped, the center ones tubular. The "seed" (achene) 

 is crowned by a brush (pappus) of dull white, rough, mostly equal bristles. 



1 Polhamus, L. G. RUBBER CONTENT off VARIOUS SPECIES OF GOLDENROD. Jour. Agr. 

 Research [U. S.J 47:149-152. 1933. 



