| Aegopodium podagraria | |
|---|---|
| Illustration from Otto Wilhelm Thomé 1885. Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Aegopodium |
| Species: | A. podagraria |
| Binomial name | |
| Aegopodium podagraria L. |
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Aegopodium podagraria, commonly called ground elder, herb gerard, bishop's weed, goutweed, and snow-in-the-mountain, is a perennial plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) that grows in shady places. The name "ground elder" comes from the superficial similarity of its leaves and flowers to those of elder (Sambucus), which is very distantly related. It is the type species of the genus Aegopodium.
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The tender leaves have been used as a spring leaf vegetable, much as spinach was used. It has also been used to treat gout and arthritis. The plant is said to have been introduced into England by the Romans as a food plant and into Northern Europe by monks. It is also eaten by Chinese and Tibetan monks.
It is best picked from when it appears (as early as February in the UK) to just before it flowers (May to June). If it is picked after this point it takes on an unusual taste and has a laxative effect. However it can be stopped from flowering by pinching out the flowers, ensuring that the plant remains edible if used more sparingly as a pot herb.[1]
In some areas, this plant is considered among the worst of weeds, as it readily spreads over large areas of ground by underground rhizomes. It is extremely invasive, and crowds out native species. The smallest piece of rhizome left in the ground will quickly form a sturdy new plant, followed by many more.
If a small plant finds its way into a perennial flower garden it will spread with vigor, resist all attempts at eradication, and make continued ornamental gardening there very difficult.
A variegated form is grown as an ornamental plant, though with the advice to keep it isolated.
It is used as a food plant by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera including dot moth, grey dagger and grey pug.
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