Goldenrod (Solidago) ~ LuminEarth's How to Identify Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants

[SuuperGoo]

Asome vid

[LuminEarth]

@SuuperGoo Thank you for the kind comment! We are planning to make more videos in the spring.

[IdahoViewing]

We have what I believe is goldenrod on our property. Does it grow and propagate on a runner? Thanks

[beckibaumgartner]

@IdahoViewing You can propagate goldenrod by division when the plants are dormant, from stem cuttings in the spring, or by collecting seeds. To collect seeds, you should allow seedheads to dry on plants, then remove and collect seeds.

[IdahoViewing]

@beckibaumgartner When I said "runner" I meant rhizome. The plants I have send out new growths from underground rhizomes or runners, like crabgrass and other grasses.

[LuminEarth]

@IdahoViewing I do that too! :) Yes you can divide and plant the Goldenrod rhizomes, texts suggest it is best done when the plants are dormant. Supposedly they will also propagate on small pieces of rhizome if kept moist in topsoil and potting soil until they have sizeable root growth.

[marieatthelake]

So I should cut up the leaves and boil them to make a tea? Thank you.

[LuminEarth]

@marieatthelake you can use goldenrod leaves and the flowering tops to make goldenrod tea. The standard recipe is: Sweet Goldenrod tea is prepared by steeping 1 – 2 teaspoons dried herb in 8 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes. If using fresh herb, you would use approximately 2 tablespoons. Thank you for your interest!

[trinityisawesome]

I was wondering if you had a preference/knew what the best edible and medical wild plants book was for Tennessee? I know there are a lot out there with only black and white sketches that help very little. Thanks in advance!

[LuminEarth]

@trinityisawesome Thx for writing! We use several different books - Info favs are "Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants" by "Wildman" Steve Brill and "The Forager's Harvest" by Samuel Thayer. Photo favs "Great Smokey Mountains Wildflowers" by Carlos Campbell & "Wildflowers of the Land Between the Lakes Region, Kentucky and Tennessee" by The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University. Also use the Peterson Field Guides. Thank you for your itnerest!