WILD FLOWERS yellow and orange 



of Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, and Nebraska. 

 The scientific generic name, Solidago, signifies to join, 

 or make whole, and alludes to the healing qualities^ 

 which this plant was formerly supposed to possess, 

 when applied to wounds. One hundred year ago the 

 Golden-rod was regularly exported to China, where 

 it commanded a high price. Sheep will forage upon it. 

 Golden-rods grow in greatest profusion, and are exceed- 

 ingly socialistic; numerous species occurring in the 

 same community. Casual observers, however, seldom 

 realize that several widely differing species invariably 

 make up the various masses of yellow, which they pass 

 afield or by the wayside, as Golden-rod. Time and 

 again I have amazed those whom I have accompanied 

 out of doors during September, by calling their atten- 

 tion to the number of different varieties of Golden-rod 

 about them. F. Schuyler Matthews records finding 

 no less than fifteen well defined species within a quar- 

 ter-mile length of road in New Hampshire. As the 

 flower clusters fade they become hoary, and the seeds, 

 tipped with fine, feathery hairs, somewhat after the 

 manner of the Dandelion seeds, are wafted by the 

 winds in every direction. During the winter when 

 other food is scarce, the seeds of the Golden-rod are 

 sought by the goldfinch and song sparrow. The 

 following species are most likely to be found 

 growing more or less commonly throughout our 

 range, and they will become a satisfactory group 

 about which to establish other species, which are 

 sure to be found most everywhere. All have yellow 



171 



