Hey Mr. Jim. Have you ever noticed a bitter smell to golden rod? There are over 100 types in the US. Kind of like clover, there are many species. In Montana there is a sweet clover, called well, er uh,,, "sweet clover" that reaches 6 ft in height. My pasture was planted in Sweet clover and alfalfa. I will never forget the aroma. The entire air filled with the sweetest aroma.
However the golden rod I have been around is not bitter, but I do not know which of the 100 species that I have been close to. There may be bitter varieties of goldenrod that I don't know.
I am trying to figure if Urbis if confusing golden rod with Bitterweed???
Blessings