I found a goldenrod plant growing near our machine shed. It has a strange growth pattern.
The leaves form an abnormal bunch–the one on the right is sort of a “pure” abnormality, the one on the left, while it has flowers, also has an abnormal growth pattern.
This same plant had about four of these growths, and they have white centers.
My guess? I think the abnormal growth is a gall caused by a fungus, and that the white powder is fungal spores–a pseudo flower which disperses the fungal spores.
Does anyone know for sure?
The roused bear 