Kentucky State Flower
Goldenrod (common name) Soldiago gigantea (scientific name) Overview Goldenrod became the Kentucky state flower in 1926, in spite of strong competition from the trumpet vine and the ever-present bluegrass. (Goldenrod had already been on the Kentucky flag for some years.) Later, Kentuckians who thought of goldenrod as a weed tried unsuccessfully to replace it with dogwood and then redbud. Though no variety is named is designated in the law, the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives specifies Soldiago gigantea. It is a common weed or wildflower all over the U.S. and is frequently seen in Kentucky in open fields, woodland clearings, and near roadsides and railroad tracks. The bright yellow flowers bloom in mid to late summer, appearing as long, narrow clusters of fine petals atop the plant’s tall stems. The flower bracts usually look fluffy or fuzzy. Goldenrod plants generally grow as clumps of upright stems with many evenly spaced, long, narrow, and smooth leaves with serrated edges that grow right out of the main stem. Leaf size tends to be quite uniform. Stems are straight and green but may also have a grayish tint. Plants die back in the fall. Goldenrod is pollinated by a wide variety of insects such as the soldier beetle, and spreads primarily through its small brown seeds. Flowers leave grayish fluff behind. This catches the wind and spreads the seeds. Goldenrod also spreads through rhizomes, or underground stems. Close-up STATUS Official PHYSICAL DETAILS Duration: Perennial Plant: Upright with narrow, pointed leaves Mature Height: 1–7 ft (.3–2 m) Flowering: July-October Flowers: 10–17 very small .1 in (.3 cm) rays clustered in long rows at the ends of stems Flower Color: Yellow Leaves: Narrow, pointed, about 3 in (7.6 cm) long with a finely serrated edge Fruit/Seed Color: Brown HABITAT Location: Any moist, sunny area Range: Throughout the U.S. and Canada TRIVIA Goldenrod is blamed for a lot of autumn allergies because the yellow flowers are so visible, but it’s actually not the culprit. Goldenrod pollen is large and sticky, so it doesn’t spread through the air. Parts of the plants are edible, and roots and flowers were traditionally used as medicine.
	Click to enlarge an image Goldenrod Field of Goldenrod Close-up of Goldenrod Flower CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Astereae Genus: Solidago Species: S. altissima
	Author: World Trade Press