Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-17
is IN ITS GLORY.

Goldenrod Covers and Beauties Noun
tain and Meadow.
Baltimore American.
Several years ago there was hot
controversy all over the country over
the question of national flower or
plant for the United States. 1t was
pointed out that the rose stood for
England all tho world over, as the
thistle for Scotland, the shamrock for
Ireland, and various other flowers for
other nations, and it was held that the
United States should also have repre-
sentative flower. But the controversy
was SO hot and so prolonged that finally
tine conteBtants wors themselves out and
had to give il up without accomplish
ing anything, except to call general at
tention to the goldenrod, which had
previously bloomed in its own assertive
way all over the fields and on the noun
tains, covering them with golden
glory that fairly dazzled the eyes 10
many places, without any especial or
general appreciation. Tho advocates of
the goldenrod as the national flower
pointed out what distinotively Ameri-
can plant 1t was, with it's hardness,
independence and withal its grace and
beauty. People began to study 1t, to
gather it to decorate their houses and
their persons, and il really began to
have sort OF national vogue, although
1t did not receive Official recognition.
This is the season when the golden
rod is at the height Of its glory, and
there is no more beautiful sight than a
field full OF this brilliant plant. 1t
grows all over the northern part of the
country, and reaches luxuriant de-
eal. -. M-.
claims for it as the national flower was
that 1t was more distinctively an
American plant than almost any other
that grows in this country, and IL is
far more common here than in any
other part of the world. There are but
two or three species native to Europe,
ard these are rare. while out of the
hundred species that are known, about
95 are indigenous to American soil.
1t has, however. been known for q
long time, and received its Latin name
OF Solidago, 1t Ia believed, from Lin
naeus. The one common British variety,
solidago yirgaurea, had at one time a
great reputation as vulnerary, or
remedy for external wounds, and it was
no doubt this reputed property that
gained it's name from the Latin "soli-
dare, to unite. The leaves Of this and
the American odorous goldenrod, or
solidago odora, have been used as SUBJ
stitute for tea, being mildly astringent
and tonic. Most of the species of
goldenrod have their leaves with
notched or toothed edges, the varieties
lanoeolata and odora being perhaps the
most common with smooth edged leaves.
The leaves of the lanceolata are mar
rover than those of the odors, and the
latter have more OF crinkled nature,
by which they may be recognized
besides by the shell. Both of these
varieties may be- found in the open
fields, together with the canadensis,
the latter, probably being the most
common OF all varieties.
Goldenrod is beautiful when growing
anywhere, but it improves greatly under
cultivation, like great many other
plants which grow wild and weedy. IL
they have good soil and plenty of room
to develop, the sprays become compact
and regular Instead of straggly, and
with good feeding and care it may be
made very handsome Plant, indeed,
and is especially suitable for decorative
purposes. In England the American
varieties are extensively cultivated,
especially In wild gardens. Golden
rod dues not bloom in the spring or
early summer, although some OF the
| earlier specimens may begin to show
themselves in the latter part of July.
A few others may bloom in August,
but September is the great month for
the go.denrod blossom, for then all Of
the speoiel are in full floser.