Goldenrod and New England Aster - Stars in the Fields

The roadsides and fields are rich with the yellow blossoms of goldenrod and the brilliant purple of New England aster. Both are late summer-early autumn wildflowers. When it comes to the scientific classification of  these two natural beauties, both are assigned to the aster family. Aster means star.

New England Aster

Goldenrod

Autumn is prime allergy season and goldenrod gets its unfair share of blame for much of the sneezing, runny noses and congestion because of its high visibility. However, the real culprit is ragweed. Ragweed flowers don't draw as much attention to themselves being small and greenish-yellow, blending in with most of the landscape.The pollen from goldenrod is not windblown like ragweed. Insects are the most common transporters of goldenrod pollen. New England asters are frequently found side-by-side with goldenrod. They prefer similar soils and sun conditions.

Asters are common in fields and along gullies

One version of how asters got their name is that Virgo, the goddess of wheat and agriculture in Greek and Roman mythology, sprinkled stardust across the earth and they became the asters. Another version attributes their origin to the goddess Astraea who left earth due to too much sorrow, looked back, wept and her tears became asters.

New England Aster and Goldenrod. Goldenrod is also an aster

In another myth,Virgo is the maiden Astraea, the goddess of innocence and purity.

Goldenrod going to seed