A field of wild Goldenrod, near a dump where we were promised there would be bears. There were no bears.

From Wikipedia - Solidago, commonly called Goldenrod, is a genus of about 100 to 120 species of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae.

Most are herbaceous perennial species found in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and savannas. They are mostly native to North America, and a few species are native to Mexico, South America, and Eurasia. Some American species have also been introduced into Europe and other parts of the world.

The many Goldenrod species can be difficult to distinguish, due to their similar bright, golden-yellow flower heads that bloom in late summer.

Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing hay fever in humans. The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by Ragweed (Ambrosia species), blooming at the same time as the Goldenrod, but is wind-pollinated. Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is thus mainly pollinated by insects. Frequent handling of Goldenrod and other flowers, however, can cause allergic reactions, sometimes irritating enough to force florists to change occupation.

Young goldenrod leaves are edible. Native Americans used the seeds of some species for food. Herbal teas are sometimes made with Goldenrod.

Goldenrods are attractive sources of nectar for bees, flies, wasps, and butterflies.

Goldenrods are, in some places, held as a sign of good luck or good fortune. They are considered weeds by many in North America, but they are prized as garden plants in Europe, where British gardeners adopted Goldenrod long before Americans did as garden subjects. Goldenrod only began to gain some acceptance in American gardening (other than wildflower gardening) during the 1980s.