This native bloomer is not the source of pesky plant pollen wafting around in the air.

Some myths die hard.  It is especially frustrating when a universally held belief is based on fallacy, not fact.

At this time of the year, we are smack dab in the very heart of the hay fever season. Even a nature-lover such as myself has to endure the battle with itchy eyes and a runny nose.

It pains me to no end when I hear people falsely pointing an accusatory finger at one of my favorite wildflowers: the goldenrod. This native bloomer is not the source of all that pesky plant pollen that is wafting around in the air. Goldenrod relies on insects to do the cross-pollination of its blossoms.

People ought to direct their ire towards the true culprit in this hay fever dilemma. That guilty plant is the ragweed. It has blooms that are wind-pollinated. Ragweed tosses a whole bunch of bothersome pollen into your face and mine.

The Goldenrod Fan Club is in need of new members. Hopefully, I have done a good enough job of extolling the merits of this beautiful wildflower. At the very least, maybe you'll be less inclined to look upon the goldenrod with disdain and disgust.

Neil Garrison was the longtime naturalist at a central Oklahoma nature center. His email is atlatlgarrison@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: This native bloomer is not the source of pesky plant pollen wafting around in the air.