While most plants flower in spring or early summer, goldenrod doesn’t make its pretty display until late summer or early fall. It is usually seen along North American country roads, at the edge of farmers’ fields, in meadows or on hillsides. Those who enjoy its deep-yellow flowers are sorry that it carries a bad name. People who are allergic to plant pollen often experience the worst of their hay fever problems in late summer when the goldenrod begins blooming.
Actually, its technical name of solidago means “to heal or make well.” Perhaps it was given this name before present-day medicines were available and when bandages for cuts and injuries were frequently made by pressing goldenrod leaves against painful wounds. When early settlers did not have tea or coffee available, they sometimes used goldenrod leaves as a pretty good substitute. As a further item of interest, both Kentucky and Nebraska have made it their state flower.
An interesting benefit of this plant, as designed by the Creator, is to help many insects at a time when other flowers are no longer available. It is an important source of pollen to some insects, while to others the seeds and petals provide valuable food. Bees, butterflies and moths come to it, some even crawling into its flowers to keep warm on cool fall nights. Some lay their eggs in the blossoms.
One insect that finds a very special use for goldenrod is the gallfly. Females ready to lay their eggs repeatedly puncture some of its main stems, placing an egg in each hole along with a fluid that causes a “gall” to form. A gall is a lump about the size of a cherry. The egg inside this gall soon hatches into a larva and through the winter develops further into a pupa (chrysalis). In spring the pupa sheds its cocoon and, being very hungry, chews on the nourishing gall. As its body develops, it gains enough strength to butt against the tough outer skin of the gall until it breaks through and then flies away as a mature gallfly.
How interesting to see how the Creator has provided in such an unusual way for this little fly to start its life. It seems natural for us to be impressed with things of great splendor, but often the Lord speaks to us through little things such as this.
As the Bible verse at the beginning reminds us, the Lord is good to all His creatures, but His care goes out to mankind with a special love. This includes you and me, whether we are small or great. It is only through this care and love that “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:2828For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28)). Let us thank Him every day of our lives for this wonderful love and care.
ML-10/09/2011