I thought that since we were talking about blue things, we'd do another one. This is blue-stemmed goldenrod, Solidago caesia. It's a bit of an oddball. Think about where you usually see goldenrod... out in fields, glowing in the full sunshine, right? But this one will grow in partial to full shade. In my "kingdom" it grows in the cemetery.
It's also different from most other goldenrods in that the flowers grow in the leaf axils. That just means that the flowers are arranged along the stem, growing from where the leaves meet that stem.
Here is a picture taken nine days ago. The flowers are still buds, and you can really see where they grow. You can also see the blueish cast. As the plant ages, the stem will become darker, almost maroon. The stems are weak, and the plant tends to lean over.
How many different kinds of goldenrod do you know?
I had no idea that there was more than one type of goldenrod. I've been seeing plenty of it lately so maybe I'll have to go get a closer look
ReplyDeleteBefore I read this, I knew of one type.
ReplyDeleteI do not know any other too.. but is funny to hear from the cemetery again..
ReplyDeleteLike Ann, I had not idea there was another type. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnn- I think I'll show some pictures of different kinds.
ReplyDeleteChuck- see above
rainfield- see above (yup, I keep going back there- not spooky at all)
Jo- see above
OK, everyone! You are in store for a goldenrod primer on some slow days!