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• Family: Apiaceae (Carrot) ^{(CTW Flora)}
• Other Names: Ground Elder, Bishop's Weed, Herb Gerard, Snow-in-the-mountain. ^{(CTW Flora)}

Synonyms

• Apium podagraria (L.) Caruel ^(GBIF)
• Carum podagraria (L.) Roth ^(GBIF)

General: Herbaceous perennial. ^{(Invasive.org)}
Lifecycle: Perennial, spreading aggressively by rhizomes. ^{(CTW Flora)}
Flowers: Numerous small, white, 5-petaled flowers arranged in flat-topped compound umbels, 6-12 cm across. Blooms late spring to mid-summer. ^(IlliWild)
Fruits: Small (3-4 mm), ovoid-oblong, ridged, and somewhat flattened. ^(IlliWild)
Leaves: Alternate, compound. Lower leaves are typically triternate (divided into three groups of three leaflets). Leaflets are 3-8 cm long, ovate, and toothed. ^(EDDMapS)
Habitat: Thrives in moist, shaded areas like forest edges, ravines, and disturbed ground. Highly tolerant of various conditions. ^{(Invasive.org)}
Range: Native to Europe and temperate Asia. Introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand as an ornamental groundcover and is now widely naturalized and invasive. ^(GISD)
Status: Introduced, Noxious, Invasive in many regions. ^{(Invasive.org) (GISD)}
Ecological Indicator: A highly competitive, shade-tolerant plant that forms dense, monotypic stands, displacing native herbaceous species and preventing the establishment of tree seedlings. Its presence indicates a disturbed or invaded ecosystem. ^{(Invasive.org)}
Possible Lookalikes: Extreme caution is advised. As a member of the Apiaceae family, it can be confused with deadly poisonous species like Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata). It also resembles the native Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis), which has leaves divided into only three leaflets, unlike Goutweed's typical nine. ^{(FVISS) (bplant)}

Hazards

• EXTREME DANGER of confusion with deadly poisonous members of the Carrot family (Apiaceae). Positive identification is essential before any use. ^(FVISS)
• Considered one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-eradicate invasive plants in gardens and natural areas. Spreads relentlessly via underground rhizomes. ^(BBG)
• Older leaves are reported to have a pungent taste and a mild laxative effect if consumed. ^{(Mabey FFF)}

Food Uses

• Young Leaves: The tender young leaves can be used as a spring vegetable, similar to spinach. They are best harvested from early spring until just before the plant flowers (April-May). They can be eaten raw in salads (in moderation), cooked in soups, or used as a potherb. ^{(Mabey FFF) (PMC)}

Other Uses

• Ornamental: The variegated form ('Variegatum') was widely introduced as a low-maintenance, shade-tolerant groundcover. However, due to its extreme invasiveness, planting it is now strongly discouraged. The variegated form often reverts to the more aggressive, solid green type. ^(BBG)

Medicinal Uses

• Traditional Use: Historically, as its name suggests, Goutweed was a primary folk remedy for treating gout and arthritis. Both leaves and roots were boiled and used in hot wraps applied externally to affected joints. ^{(Mabey FFF) (PMC)}
• Internal Use: Ingested as a tea, it was believed to have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and mild sedative properties, used for rheumatism and disorders of the kidney and bladder. ^{(RxList) (PMC)}
• Modern Status: Its use as a medicinal herb has largely declined. There is insufficient scientific evidence to rate its effectiveness for any medical condition. ^(RxList)

Phytochemistry & Allelopathy

Goutweed contains a variety of compounds, including flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), coumarins, and polyacetylenes such as falcarindiol, which has shown antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity in studies. The essential oil contains terpenes like α-pinene and β-caryophyllene. ^{(PMC) (ACSPubs)}

Allelopathy: The plant is known to have allelopathic properties, releasing chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of nearby plants. This chemical inhibition is a key factor, along with its dense rhizome network, that allows it to form dominant monocultures and outcompete native flora. ^(ACSPubs)

Management and Control

Cultivation of Goutweed is not recommended due to its invasive nature. The focus should be on control and eradication.

• Mechanical Control: For small patches, persistent hand-pulling and digging can be effective, but every piece of the white, brittle rhizome must be removed, as fragments will resprout. This process can take several years. ^(ISC)
• Mowing: Repeatedly cutting the plants to the ground can weaken them over time by depleting the energy reserves in the rhizomes. ^(BBG)
• Tarping: Covering the infested area with heavy, opaque tarps or black plastic for at least one full growing season can smother the plants by blocking all sunlight. ^(ISC)
• Barriers: If containment is the only option, installing deep underground barriers (like metal or plastic sheeting) can help prevent its spread into new areas. ^(BBG)

Propagation

Goutweed spreads almost exclusively through its extensive network of underground rhizomes. Any small piece of rhizome can generate a new plant. This makes mechanical tilling or careless digging counterproductive, as it can multiply the infestation. ^{(Invasive.org)}

While it does produce seeds, seedling establishment is less common and typically restricted to disturbed areas with ample light. The primary vector for its spread to new locations is through human activity, either by intentional planting or the improper disposal of garden waste containing rhizomes. ^(GISD)

Lore & History

Goutweed is believed to have been introduced to Great Britain by the Romans and spread throughout Northern Europe by monks who cultivated it as both a food and medicinal plant. Its names, such as Bishop's Weed and Goutweed, directly reference its historical use in treating gout, a condition that historically afflicted the wealthy, including bishops, who consumed rich diets. The common name "Jack-Jump-About" from the 16th century aptly describes its invasive, spreading nature. ^{(ChangingLifestyle) (Mabey FFF)}

AEGOPODIUM GOUTWEED

Family: Apiaceae - Carrot

A genus of about seven species of perennial herbs native to Europe and western Asia. Stems are typically erect and grooved. Leaves are compound, often ternately divided. Flowers are small, white, and borne in compound umbels. The genus is infamous for its type species, A. podagraria, which is a notoriously aggressive invasive weed throughout the temperate world where it has been introduced. ^(Wiki)

References

• (ACSPubs) - Investigation of the Chemical Inhibition Effect of Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria)..., Journal of Chemical Education, 2023.
• (bplant) - Honewort vs Bishop's Goutweed: Identification, bplant.org.
• (BBG) - Weed of the Month: Goutweed, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
• (ChangingLifestyle) - Weed of the Week Aegopodium podagraria L. Ground Elder, changinglifestyleblog.uk, 2015.
• (CTW Flora) - Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G., & Warburg, E. F. (1962). Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. (As cited in Wikipedia for general botanical information).
• (EDDMapS) - Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.), Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System.
• (FVISS) - Look-Alikes: Hogweed & Chervil, Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society.
• (GBIF) - Aegopodium podagraria L., Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
• (GISD) - Global Invasive Species Database (2010). Aegopodium podagraria (herb). (As cited in Wikipedia).
• (IlliWild) - Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria), Illinois Wildflowers.
• (Invasive.org) - PCA Alien Plant Working Group - Goutweed, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
• (ISC) - Goutweed, Invasive Species Centre.
• (Mabey FFF) - Mabey, Richard (1972). Food for Free. London: Collins. ISBN 0-00-211246-9. (As cited in Wikipedia for ethnobotanical uses).
• (PMC) - Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.)—An Edible Weed with Health-Promoting Properties, PubMed Central, 2024.
• (RxList) - Goutweed: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions, RxList.
• (Wiki) - Wikipedia contributors. "Aegopodium podagraria." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Aug. 2025. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegopodium_podagraria>.

Image References

1. Markus Weber, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
2. Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
3. Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons