Seed of the goldenrod

October 24

Countless downy seeds (thistle-like) 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.

I see those narrow pointed yellow buds now laid bare so thickly along the slender twigs of the Salix discolor, which is almost bare of leaves.

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.")

Those narrow pointed yellow buds now laid bare so thickly along the slender twigs of the Salix discolor. See October 18, 1859 (The long, curved, yellowish buds of the Salix discolor begin to show, the leaves falling; even the down has peeped out from under some."); October 25, 1858 ("Now that the leaves are fallen (for a few days), the long yellow buds (often red-pointed) which sleep along the twigs of the S. discolor are very conspicuous and quite interesting, already even carrying our thoughts for ward to spring. I noticed them first on the 22d. They may be put with the azalea buds already noticed. Even bleak and barren November wears these gems on her breast in sign of the coming year.") See also October 26, 1853 ("Now leaves are off, or chiefly off, I begin to notice the buds of various form and color and more or less conspicuous, prepared for another season, — partly, too, perhaps, for food for birds.")

Countless downy seeds

of the goldenrods, so fine

we do not notice.