Rare Plant Thought Extinct Re-discovered in Upstate New York
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 09.28.08
Image source: Tony Eallonardo in Syracuse
A salt-marsh plant thought to have vanished from upstate New York is back. But it has not come back to the inland salt marshes, of which only four remain (three in New York and one in Michigan). Rather, the rare goldenrod was found growing alongside local streets, probably competing well where run-off from winter road salt suppresses other plant life. The species was discovered serendipitously by Dr. Leonardo of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) as he was out walking.
"They're coming out of asphalt, with no soil anywhere," Leopold is quoted in an article in Syracuse. "And it's striking because they're all blooming right now. It's a visually spectacular plant." But the seaside goldenrod's beauty is not alone among it's benefits to humanity and the environment.
Beauty to Behold
Seaside goldenrod can grow to 8 feet tall and blooms rich yellow blossoms atop dark green stems and leaves. Seaside goldenrod is innocent of misplaced blame for causing allergies -- which are actually caused by the ragweed that blooms around the same time. It is a good nectar source for many insects, especially because it blooms later in the season than many other native goldenrod species.
Benefits to Boot
However, the most important contribution of seaside goldenrod may be applications in urban gardening. "The real value is we've been trying to find native species to use in a green approach to handling urban run-off. Not only is this plant beautiful, it is quite functional. Instead of building a multimillion treatment plant or allowing the run-off going into our creeks and streams, it looks like this could provide a natural solution," Dr. Leonard is quoted as saying in an article at the Weather Channel's Forecast Earth. Furthermore, the plants grow maintenance free, making them a better choice for urban community gardens than many imported species and superior to greenhouse plants often selected for public landscaping.
Post-doc student Tony Eallonardo is helping Dr. Leonardo locate populations of the seaside goldenrod. Two sites have been found in addition to the original plants discovered by Dr. Leonard, including a stand in the median on highway 81 (pictured). According to Eallonardo, the plant species represents "the natural and cultural heritage of Syracuse, the Salt City." The region once had thousands of inland saltwater marshes.
More on this Story
ESF imbedded video of local news coverage
Syracuse
Forecast Earth
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Huuuge author's mea culpa: apologies to tipster Joe--thanks for sending the tip. It is a heartwarming species recovery story in a sea of disappearing biodiversity!
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This is an excellent post , I'm grateful to you , thanks a lot.
I have a whole pasture full of goldenrod right outside my back yard. While my neighbors mow their pastures to a uniform boring green, mine are alive with vibrant the yellows, greens, lilacs, and whites of the fall wild flowers.
This stuff is marvelous for insect habitat. Bumblebees use the flowers for cover during the evening and I get some of my most spectacular "bug photos" from insects savoring the nectar of the goldenrod.
I am not sure if our Indiana plant is the same as the seaside golden rod, but it sure looks the same and grows to the same height. It also has a side benefit of being taller than the ragweed and shading it out, so in my pasture I have NO ragweed to cause allergic reactions!
The MY people should also consider ironweed (GORGEOUS deep purple flowers) and the many species of asters available almost anywhere. They are all cold weather hardy and perennial.
wow i didn't think anyone would read my tip, amazing, lol. um the picture you have is near my house.. i drive by there everyday .. you can tell the goldenrods are not regular goldenrods. the flowers are bright yellow and the leaves dark green.
I think this is great
Once again TreeHugger comes through with the facts.
Jiff
www.privacy.es.tc
Seaside goldenrod may have vanished from upstate NY but it has never been in risk of extinction, it is common near the salt marshes on the east coast.
there are actually more than 4 salt marshes left. there are more in nebraska. look up "salt creek tiger beetle"
I think I have a ton of this stuff in my yard.... If you want, contact me and come and take a look for yourself... Ringwood, NJ
I don't know how this plant has been perceived as being extinct. I've had fields of it growing in my backyards, wetlands, along roads, highways...practically everywhere left "un-maintained" my entire life in Western and Upstate New York and we've known that it's Golden Rod also. Perhaps the researchers should have tried asking the "locals" a little earlier.
That aside, it does make a beautiful sight when viewed in fields yellow and gold.
Life finds a way, when it can.