Goldenrods are making me tear my hair out!
I'm so confused!
I've been trying to learn to identify Goldenrods, and it's a nightmare. In the Dunning-Kruger graph, I'm in the Valley of Despair!
I decided to see which species are most commonly observed in my area, so I could focus on learning to identify just one or two of them to start. So in Explore I typed in my location and 'Goldenrods', (verifiable, with pics) and found 834 identifications, with 12 species. But I noticed that one species I've definitely seen - Flat-Topped Goldenrod - was missing from the list. After a lot of puzzling, I've finally figured out why: Flat-Topped and the other 12 species are all part of "Asters and Allies (tribe astereae)" but the Flat-topped Goldenrod is NOT part of "Goldenrods (genus solidago)". It's not even part of the same subtribe. There are species called 'Goldenrods' scattered throughout the subtribes of Asters and Allies, that are not part of the genus 'Goldenrods'.
So I thought I was in the Valley of Despair, but it turns out there was further to fall! Now I just want to sit at the bottom (I hope) of the valley and sulk.
Even my husband (to whom I have ranted about Goldenrods) is making fun of me.
Husband: What kind of plant is that?
Me: It's a Goldenrod.
Husband: What type?
Me: Sod off!
How am I supposed to figure all this out? Why are Goldenrods so complicated??? Does anyone have links to good info on identifying them (or a ladder)?
