Chrysogonum virginianum L.
Information courtesy of Magna Vista High School students.
Green And Gold
Chrysogonum virginianum L. can be translated from the Greek “chrys” meaning “gold” and “gonu” which means joints (due to the golden axillary blooms). Virginianum is translated to Virginian because this plant can be natively found in Virginia. This can also be known as “Green and Gold” due to its translation from Greek and its leaves that are always green. The plant was given its scientific name from the great botanist Linnaeus. Chrysogonum virginianum is a member of the Asteraceae family, which also includes other flowers such as the sunflower and pot marigold. You can find native and nursery grown Green and Gold all over the southeastern United States. The native versions of Chrysogonum virginianum are endangered in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The nursery grown versions of Chrysogonum virginianum are non endangered and can be bought at many locations.
Green and gold is a perennial. The plant is located close to the ground growing, no more than 2 feet tall. The plant will have green leaves with small fuzz at the base all year, and flowers during April, May, and June. Some other features of the plant including a leaf with a crenate margin and an ovate shape. It also includes a wedge-like base and an acute apex or tip. The leaves circulate water and nutrients through leaves with a pinnate vein pattern. The plant blooms in a bright yellow color, the bloom has a star-like shape and is made up of composite flowers. Composite flowers are flowers that have flowers which hold the stamen (male part) and a disc flower (female part). The flowers then drop seeds that can be used to reproduce. The flower can also be divided to produce more flowers.
Green and gold is used in many gardens for short groundcover. The blooms can be very attractive to both humans and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This plant works well to cover woodland gardens and a native plant garden due to the fact that deer will not consume them. This flower can also be important in its native state because it can spread fast and help prevent soil erosion from hills. The flower can also attract pollinators to surrounding plants. This helps increase pollinators in the area.
Sources/Citations
http://www.solomonsseal.net/abouttheplant.html
