Pic Today 9/22/12

GOLDENROD:

BLAMED AND PRAISED

Considered a weed in North America

and prized as a garden plant in Europe,

Goldenrod is a greatly misunderstood plant

(which is widely in bloom this first day of fall.)

Among its fame and reputation, Goldenrod is:

1.  Blamed for causing hay fever.

2.  Held as a sign of good luck and fortune.

3.  A favorite food of butterflies.

4.  A traditional kidney tonic in herbal medicine.

5.  A source of rubber during World War II.*

*The tires on a Model T given to Thomas Edison

  by his friend, Henry Ford, were made from Goldenrod.