Heavy with sunshine droops the Golden-rod."



348 Yellow to Orange Flowers

Solidago decutnbens, or Field Golden-rod, has tall, stiff,
wand-like stems, which terminate in dense compact panicles
of flowers, and sparse, long, narrow leaves, with even mar-
gins. It is very beautiful to walk across the alpine fields,
where

"The Golden-rod lights slowly
Its torch for the Autumn blaze,"

and where the other fall flowers unite to celebrate the pass-
ing of summer in a riotous splendour of scarlet, purple, and
gold.
Solidago multiradiata, or Northern Golden-rod, is a
coarser species with small loose clusters of rather large deep
yellow flowers, which terminate the leafy downy stems.
'' How deepening bright, like mountain flame, doth bum
The Golden-rod upon a thousand hills.
This is the Autumn's flower, and to my soul
A token fresh of beauty and of life,
And life's supreme delight,"

Solidago missouriensis, or Mountain Golden-rod, has a
perfectly smooth slender stem and short, broad, branching
panicles of yellow flowers. The leaves are thick and lance-
shaped, with entire rough margins. It grows in dry soil
and rears its clusters of golden bloom where the sunlight
and shade interlace at the edge of the forests.
Solidago nemoralis, or Gray Golden-rod, is so called on
account of its gray-green cottony stems and leaves. The
latter are lance-shaped and sharply toothed.
