©Philip Precey
Ground-elder
Scientific name: Aegopodium podagraria
Ground-elder was likely introduced into the UK by the Romans and has since become naturalised. A medium-sized umbellifer, it is an invasive weed of shady places, gardens and roadsides.
Species information
Category
Statistics
Height: 30-100cmConservation status
Invasive, non-native species.
When to see
June to AugustAbout
Ground-elder was probably introduced into the UK from continental Europe in Roman times for use as a medicinal and culinary herb; it soon became established as a pernicious weed of gardens, shady areas and cultivated ground. It is a perennial, so doesn't die over winter and mainly spreads by rhizomes, although it does seed. It can quickly spread, carpeting an area and outcompeting other plants for resources. Compact umbels (umbrella-like clusters) of white flowers appear between June and August and are attractive to a range of insects.How to identify
Ground-elder has leaves with three lobes, like a pointed clover-leaf, at the base of its stems. It displays rounded, umbrella-like clusters of small, white flowers.Distribution
Widespread.Did you know?
The roots of ground-elder delve notoriously deep into the soil and can be hard to get rid of, hence the common name of 'Devil's guts'.
Bertie Gregory/2020VISION