Goldenrod (Solidago)
Solidago Riddellii
Showy Goldenrod tends to bloom a little later than most Goldenrods. It is indeed one of the showiest of the genus with a feathery plume comprised of a dense clump of pale yellow to deep yellow flowers atop an attractive red stem. Other late-blooming natives that thrive in the same mesic to dry soils and might accent Showy Goldenrod include Button Blazing Star, Sweet Black-eyed Susan and Stiff Gentian. Goldenrods provide ecosystem services well into the fall when most other plant life is shutting down.
Sadly, goldenrods often get blamed for causing the dreaded hayfever. This is simply not true. Their pollen is quite large and sticky so as to better adhere to the body of visiting insects. Because of this, goldenrod pollen cannot become airborne and can never make its way into your sinuses. The true cause of hayfever is the wind-pollinated ragweeds, which broadcast copious amounts of lightweight pollen into the air.
