Golden-rod

Golden-rod (Solidago), a genus of Composite, closely allied to Aster. Only the common S. Virgaurea is British, a few others are European, but most (more than 100) belong to North America, where their bright colouring lightens up the beautiful autumnal scenery. Some—e.g. S. canu- densis, grandiflora, &c.—are found in old-fashioned borders, but are so coarse and weedy as hardly to merit a place beyond the shady corner of the roughest shrubbery. S. Virgaurea had at one time a great reputation as a vulnerary, whence probably the name (from Lat. solidare, 'to unite'). The leaves of this and a fragrant North American species, S. odora, have been used as a substitute for tea. They are mildly astringent and tonic.