Seed of the goldenrod

October 24

Countless downy thistle-like seeds of the goldenrods, so fine that we do not notice them in the air, cover our clothes like dust. 

No wonder they spread over all fields and far in to the woods. 

H. D. Thoreau, Journal,  October 24, 1860

Countless downy thistle-like seeds of the goldenrods.  See October 23, 1853 ("Everywhere in the fields I see the white, hoary (ashy-colored) sceptres of the gray goldenrod . . .Compact puffed masses of seeds ready to take wing. They will send out their ventures from hour to hour the winter through . . . It is the season of fuzzy seeds,"); December 31, 1859 ("There appears to be not much (compared with the fall) seed left on the common or gray goldenrod, its down being mostly gone, and the seed is attached to that.") See also May 29, 1854 ("Dandelions and mouse-ear down . . . are interesting as methinks the first of the class of downy seeds which are more common in the fall.")