Eastern Forest Threat Center - Goutweed

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Goutweed foliage

Goutweed foliage

© John Randall, The Nature Conservancy

Goutweed
Aegopodium podagraria

Goutweed is native to Europe and northern Asia. It was introduced into the U.S. as an ornamental.

Keywords: Apiaceae, herbaceous, perennial, rhizomes, long petioles; Common names: Bishop's goutweed, bishop's weed, snow-on-the-mountain, ground elder

Distribution Map Distribution Source Image

Threat Description

Goutweed is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the carrot family that spreads mainly by vegetative means. Leaves arising from the rhizomes are about 1 ft. tall and typically far outnumber the fertile, flower-bearing stems. The leaves are long-petioled and divided into leaflets arranged in groups of three. Leaflets are toothed or irregularly lobed, green or variegated green and white. Fertile stems grow 2 to 3 ft. tall and bear attractive umbels of small, white, five-petaled flowers in mid-summer. The brown seeds are small and elongate, ripening in late summer. Goutweed grows well in partial sun to full shade, with a preference for well-drained, evenly moist soils. It is tolerant of poor soils and can stand a wide range of soil pH values. Most types of eastern deciduous forests are vulnerable to goutweed invasion. Infestations can usually be traced to abandoned or ill-kept gardens. Goutweed is an aggressive invasive plant that often dominates the herbaceous layer of forests, to the likely detriment of the native plants. Effects on wildlife habitat warrant further study: deer, for example, seem to avoid this species when grazing in forests.