Another plant in the Compositae that will soon begin to bloom is the great ragweed. Much different than the goldenrod, great ragweed may grow to heights of 15 feet. The blossom of this plant is green and definitely not showy. Most people are unaware that it even has a blossom. Like all flowering plants, goldenrods and ragweed need to be pollinated in order to produce seeds.
Goldenrod is pollinated by insects.
This means that the pollen is sticky, so it will adhere to insects and be successfully transferred to other plants. Ragweed, on the other hand, is pollinated by wind. This difference is the source of a common misunderstanding. Many people who suffer from allergies blame their discomfort on goldenrod, because it blooms when their problems are the most intense. However, the blame is misplaced since goldenrod pollen is sticky and it only leaves the plant when it is stuck to an insect.