Goutweed, Ground elder
Aegopodium podograria
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb. It has creeping, branching underground stems. It grows up to 60-90 cm high. It can spread 60-90 cm wide. The leaves usually have 3 oval lobes. The flowers are in large compound heads. They can be white, cream or pink. The fruit are oval and ribbed.
It is used in medicine against gout. The young leaves are high in Vitamin C. There are 5 Aegopodium species. It can become invasive.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It occurs commonly as a self sown plant in waste ground in Britain. It will grow in most soils but prefers damp shady places. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Albania, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Caucasus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, France, Germany,Ireland, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey,Türkiye
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They have a tangy flavour and are used in salads, cooked as greens or made into fritters. They are eaten in green soup in Germany. It is used in omelette and quiche.
It was introduced into Britain as a food plant by the Romans. It is an emergency or famine food. It is foraged and used in restaurants in Sweden.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable, spice, flowers, buds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or from pieces of the root. It can become invasive and hard to remove.
It grows rapidly.
Its other names
Local names
Anitka, Ashweed, Bishop's weed, Brslice kozi noha, Garsa, Ground ash, Herb Gerard, Naat, Navadna regačica, Podagrycznik, Sanminari, Skvallerkal, Snitka, Snyc, Snyt', Varesnaat, Zevenblad