Is it a weed or a money tree?: Thoughts From Red Sunflower Farm

Curious Questions from Observing the Everyday

Is it a weed or a money tree?

Walking in the field today, I took some time to behold the KY State Flower: The Goldenrod. The rich yellow tones are the perfect accompaniment to the transition from Summer to Autumn.

Wasps, bees, and beetles galore buzzed amongst the buds and leaves; it was a Fall bounty for insects—a joy to witness.

And yet, to many, goldenrod is considered a weed. Growing on the side of highways and sprouting up in diligently manicured flower beds, it’s a shame that some gardeners rip these delightful pops of amber from the soil. Too often, the goldenrod is overlooked for her inherent beauty as horticulturists pursue their perceived notions of perfection.

I found myself researching the history of goldenrod that evening and was surprised to learn a few things. Believed in Chinese culture to symbolize wealth and prosperity (yes, the article actually used that word), some consider goldenrod to be a “money tree.”In the wake of the Boston Tea Party, for a time, those protesting the Tea Act consumed solely “homegrown tea” created by steeping the native herb in boiling water. It’s funny how life can exist in spirals and concentric circles. How apropos for a naturally curious CPA to find herself reflecting on a plant that shares a history with American tax law.

I digress.

How can such a beautiful, vibrant plant be revered as a symbol of prosperity by some but unearthed and cast aside by others?

Beauty, joy, prosperity—it’s always in the eye of the beholder. Goldenrod grows in abundance throughout the state of Kentucky and many other parts of the US. But whether it’s seen as a weed or a money tree depends on the individual.

I’ll leave you with this curious question:

Take inventory of your life—the material and ethereal. Ask yourself:

Where does gold grow in abundance in my life?

Where are the weeds that, with a different perspective, could prove to be money trees?