# Goutweed (*Aegopodium podagraria*) Goutweed is a green plant with pretty leaves that can spread quickly in gardens. It likes to grow in shady places and can be a fun plant to discover while exploring nature! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 34 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Goutweed](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/175507973/medium.jpg) Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/175507973) ## Appearance The Goutweed has bright green leaves, often variegated with creamy white edges, growing in clumps from a central stem. Its small white flowers form flat-topped clusters resembling delicate umbrellas, emerging above the foliage. This plant stands out with its bold foliage patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Apiales - **Family:** Apiaceae - **Genus:** Aegopodium ## Interesting facts - Despite its invasive nature, some gardeners intentionally plant Goutweed as ground cover! - In medieval times, Goutweed was believed to cure gout, hence its common name! - Its other name, 'Bishop's Weed,' comes from its historical use near old cathedrals! - Its scientific name, \*Aegopodium\*, means 'goat's foot' because of its distinctive leaf shape! ## Special abilities - **Underground Takeover:** Goutweed can rapidly spread with special underground stems called rhizomes, helping it quickly claim new territory. - **Light Chameleon:** Goutweed has the ability to grow vigorously in deep shade or full sun, helping it adapt to almost any environment. - **Regrowth Champion:** Even if cut back, Goutweed can regrow quickly from small root fragments, helping it bounce back from damage. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** Drone fly (*Eristalis tenax*) — Visits flowers for nectar, aiding reproduction. - **Eaten by:** [Black slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Common garden slug grazes on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Occasionally browses on young goutweed shoots. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or eating any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Goutweed? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Goutweed? 30-100 cm ### How wide does Goutweed spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on Goutweed? 0.2-0.3 cm ### When does Goutweed bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is Goutweed edible? Yes ### Is Goutweed toxic? None ### What is Goutweed's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Brooklyn Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooklyn-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Cambridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cambridge-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Capen-Clark Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capen-clark-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Goutweed](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/goutweed) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Goutweed: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goutweed)