FIELDWORK Tuesday IX.19.2006 . . . Studying two species of Goldenrod,
(Solidago nemoralis, and Solidago ceasia) On the road in North America.

On a cold, windy day for September, I’m here sorting pondering
the impossibility of capturing an image of the beautiful,
unique, golden-yellow color of the different members of
the Goldenrod Family (Soldiago = healer of wounds?). Especially
as the flowers as shown here are fresh and just emerging.

There are more than 100 species of Goldenrod in the Northeast
of America, more than you can shake a close-up lens at, and
certainly more than I can tell apart. But no problem. I’m not
worried about micro-differences between species here, but
color, color, color.

And bad weather is frequently good for color.
Brings out depth. But not the wind; it's had close
to the ground for most of day.

One note on form: the nodding flowering spikes are of—
speaking of unfortunate names—Gray Goldenrod (for the
tiny gray hairs or pubescence of the stems). Believe it or
not, this species of Goldenrod was cultivated by Thomas
Edison for its milksap to produce rubber. Henry Ford
actually gave him a Model T with Goldenrod Tires! How's
that for amazing plant trivia!

The other species is Bluestem or Wreath Goldenrod.
(foreground right)
Notice the contrasting larger upright flowering spikes and
signature purplish-blue stems. Given that the two species
seem to form an ensemble, perhaps it would be nice to
call them Graystem & Bluestem, having by now forgotten
all about the glowing-from-within quality of their golden-yellow
flowers . . . .

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