The flowers and plant yield a strong yellow dye (no surprise there). These photos were taken at Fletcher Park on 23 September 2012. Wildflowers of the Carolinas, page 406, shows a photo of Gray Goldenrod [Solidago nemoralis], which appears to be plant in the shots. It’s a member of the Aster (Asteraceae) family.
USDA Plants Listing: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SONE
Martha with Goldenrod (maybe Gray Goldenrod)
Goldenrod in Fletcher Park
