Goldenrod Stem Galls

The Goldenrod family, in addition to the Asters, signal the oncoming of Fall. The bulb-like structures are referred to as Galls and are made by the larvae of the Goldenrod Gall Fly, which stay in the gall for a year, before burrowing out in the Spring. We used to collect them in the winter when I was a kid to use like a waxworm for ice fishing.