While most plants flower in the spring or early summer, the goldenrod doesn’t make its pretty display along America’s country roads, at the edge of farmer’s fields, in meadows or on hillsides until fall. Those who are fond of its yellow flowers are sorry that it has a bad name with many, because of hay fever problems experienced when the goldenrod is blooming. Some plant experts insist it is not so much the goldenrod that causes this discomfort, but rather the natural result of the change in weather which takes place at that time.
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 its leaves against painful wounds. When early settlers couldn’t secure tea or coffee, it was handy to learn that goldenrod leaves made a pretty good substitute. As a further item of interest, both Kentucky and Nebraska have made it their state flower.
A principal benefit of this plant, as designed by the Creator, is to help many insects at a time when other flowers are no longer available. To some it is an important source of pollen, while to others the seeds and petals provide valuable food. Bees, butterflies, moths, etc. come to it, some even crawling into its flowers at nighttime to keep warm. Some lay their eggs in the blossoms.
One of the insects that finds a very special use for goldenrods 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” (a lump about the size of a cherry) to form. The egg inside this gall soon hatches into a larva and through the winter develops further into a pupa (chrysalis). In the spring this odd-appearing pupa sheds its cocoon, and, very hungry, chews on the nourishing gall. As its body develops, it gains enough strength to butt against the tough outer skin of its prison until it breaks through and flies away in mature form.
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 well.
As the Bible verse at the top of our page 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,” as we are told in 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-05/18/1986