Aegopodium podagraria - Ground elder
Most gardners hate ground elder because its
creeping underground stems spread so rapidly, but this umbelifer (family Apiaceae) has its uses: at one time
this common wildflower was grown as a pot herb and was also used to treat arthritis and gout.
Ground elder often produces dense patches on roadside verges, in
churchyards and on riverbanks. Although it can grow up to a metre tall, half that height
is more normal. The hollow stems are grooved but hairless.
The first flowers of ground elder appear in May and are usually past their best by the end of July; however, this plant is propagated mainly via its spreading roots; leave even the tiniest piece in the ground and it will quickly give rise to a new plant.
It is possible that the Romans introduced ground elder to Britain. A clue as to why may be found in one of its many common names: gout weed!
Wildflowers of Wales
Dozen of beautiful wildflowers of heath and moorland, mountains and meadows
are featured in the First Nature Guide to the
Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 3 - Mountains, Moorland and Meadows.
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