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goutweed
Scientific Name: Aegopodium
Family: Apiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Goutweed: A Detailed Overview
Goutweed, known for its rapid spread and ground cover capabilities, is a plant with a complex reputation. Often found in gardens, it has both admirers and those who struggle to control its growth.
Considerations for Pets
- Goutweed is also called 'goatweed', because goats love to eat it.
Considerations for Children
- The cultivated form of goutweed showcases white and green variegated leaves, which may be visually appealing to children.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Aegopodium podagraria L.
- Common Names: Goutweed, ground elder, herb gerard, bishop's weed, gout wort, snow-in-the-mountain, English masterwort, wild masterwort, Ground Ash, Ashweed, Pot Ash, White Ash, Dog Elder, Dwarf Elder.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
- Synonyms: Bishop's goutweed
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe and northern Asia.
- Widely naturalized in eastern North America.
- Globally, it occurs primarily in the northern hemisphere, particularly in Europe, Asia Minor, and Russia.
- Grows in shady places.
Ecological Role
- Considered invasive in many regions, including Pennsylvania and several New England states, due to its aggressive spreading habit.
- Its sale is prohibited in several New England states.
Morphological Characteristics
- Herbaceous perennial plant.
- Creeping perennial that can grow to 3 ft (1 m) tall.
- Has branching white rhizomes.
- Compound leaves are alternate and have sheathing bases.
- Flowering stems are erect, 40-90cm.
- Flowers are arranged in flat or dome-shaped clusters 2 to 4 inches across.
- Individual flowers are 1/8-inch with 5 white petals.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Goats are known to eat goutweed.
Quirky Facts
- Goutweed is used in Troll cooking, especially by the Troll chef Burntmeat.
- In some contexts, its common name 'goutweed' is believed to be a corruption of 'goatweed'.
Additional Information
- Goutweed is a rare herb in some contexts, such as in certain online games, where it has specific uses.
- When disposing of goutweed, it should not be composted or discarded in woods or fields.