Goldenrod

Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

My formal name is Solidago canadensis, but most people just call me Goldenrod. You can often spot my bright yellow flowers lighting up fields and roadsides, especially when summer starts to wind down.

I’m a late bloomer, which makes me a lifeline for pollinators in the fall. I help fuel the Monarch Butterflies migration at the end of the summer. My pollen is rich and sticky, perfect for bees, butterflies, and beetles who rely on me when food sources are scarce. Despite the rumours, I’m not the one causing all the fall allergies. That’s ragweed. I’m here to help, not to irritate.

In Ontario, I play a starring role in the ecosystem. I’m a host plant for over 100 different species of caterpillars. My leaves and stems provide food and shelter for the next generation of moths and sometimes even butterflies. I’m considered a keystone plant, which means I support a wide web of life. Without me, the landscape would lose much of its resilience and biodiversity.

There are more than 25 native species of Goldenrod in Ontario. Some of us can grow up to five feet tall, while others stay lower to the ground. Most of us love full sun and don’t mind poor soil. Out in the wild, you’ll find me thriving in meadows, prairies, and along country roads. My deep roots help hold the soil together, preventing erosion and keeping the land strong.

So if you see a golden glow waving in the breeze this fall, that’s probably me. I will be standing tall, feeding the pollinators, and quietly holding the ecosystem together.