Bishop's goutweed
(Aegopodium podagraria)
Vigorous, rhizomatous perennial groundcover; variegated variety is a common ornamental plant.
Other names for this plant include:
- Common names: Goutwort, snow-on-the-mountain (variegated cultivar), Herb-Gerard, wild or English masterwort, ax-ashe weed, aise-weed, dwarf weed, bishop’s weed, white-ash-herb, garden-plague, dog-elder, ground-elder, jackjump-about.
- Scientific names: None.
Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted
- Ecological Threat
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- Aggressively invades forests, forest edges, fields, pastures, plantings, disturbed areas.
- Planted and naturalized statewide.
- Outcompetes native herbaceous layer, forming dense patches.
- Reduces tree seedling germination and inhibits establishment.
- Recognized as an invasive across much of the United States.
- Perennial and shade-tolerant, this plant spreads vigorously through rhizomes.
- Identification
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Leaves & stems: Leaves are divided into three groups of three leaflets. Leaflets are ovate with broad bases or cordate (heart-shaped), with serrated margins. Most leaves are basal. Variegated varieties are common.
Flowers: Flowers are white, flat-topped umbels. Flowering stems reach up to three feet tall.
Fruits & Seeds: Long slender seeds resemble carrot seeds.
Roots: Roots are long, white, extensive branching rhizomes.
- Control
- Mechanical:
- Diligently hand-pull or dig-up plants, removing as much of the rhizomes as possible. Bag and dispose of all plant debris as plant fragments readily resprout.
- Cutting and mowing may slow the plants from invading new areas.
- Cover the infestation with black landscape fabric/plastic in early spring, when leaves emerge. Keep covered for a minimum of one growing season.
- Use a systemic herbicide, such as glyphosate.
- Resources
- Sources for content: Links for more information:
