Goldenrod

PLANT NAME

Goldenrod

COMMON NAMES

Woundwort, Aaron's rod

BOTANICAL NAME

Solidago (various species, commonly S. virgaurea or S. canadensis)

IDENTIFICATION

Perennial herbaceous plants with tall, woody stems and striking clusters of bright yellow flowers blooming in late summer and autumn.

IDENTIFICATION IMAGE

AI ART TO BE GENERATED

PARTS TRADITIONALLY USED

Leaves and flowers (aerial parts).

CULINARY USES

Leaves can be used to make a pleasant, mildly sweet tea. (Often used after the Boston Tea Party as a substitute for black tea).

TRADITIONAL USES

Used to treat urinary tract inflammation, prevent or treat kidney stones, and as a diaphoretic for colds. Applied topically to heal wounds.

GROWING / HARVESTING

Grows easily in open fields, meadows, and along roadsides. Harvest aerial parts just as the flowers begin to open.

SAFETY / CAUTION

Generally safe. Mild allergic reactions may occur (though it is often falsely blamed for hay fever caused by ragweed). Avoid if suffering from heart or kidney conditions causing fluid retention. Always consult your doctor.

RELATED PLANTS

Ragweed (often confused with goldenrod but botanically distinct), aster species.

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