Legends About Goldenrods

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Like most plants, goldenrods have their share of folklore attached to them. Here are a few found online.

A Fairy’s Gift

In one fairy tale, a stick offered itself to an old woman to use as a walking staff. When the old woman left the stick behind, she sprinkled it with fairy dust and it became the goldenrod. Read the full legend from this post in the Sun Gazette.

A Witch’s Trick

In this story, two sisters asked a witch for help because they never wanted to be parted as they grew older. The result was goldenrod and chicory (or purple asters) blooming at the same time of year and in similar habitats. Read the full family tale in this post from Dave’s Garden.

Goldenrod Means Money, or Maybe Water

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the presence of goldenrods means there is buried treasure under them. Or maybe it means that the closest house will experience prosperity. 

On the other hand, goldenrod might also mean there is a spring nearby. Or maybe frost is coming.
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Goldenrod Makes Rubber

If science legends are your interest, some say that Thomas Edison had a Model T with tires made from the rubber found in goldenrod. 

If this sprinkling of goldenrod lore intrigued you, search for “goldenrod legends” and “goldenrod folklore” to learn more. Remember, check any medical suggestions against logic and modern scientific knowledge. Just because something was used to treat an ailment, that doesn’t mean it produced the desired effect.