Bishops' Weed Aegopodium podagraria

Goutweed is an aggressive herbaceous perennial in the carrot family (Apiaceae) native to Asia and Europe.  Goutweed grows naturally in much of the U.S. and is considered invasive in natural areas of Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Its natural habitat is disturbed lands such as felled forests, abandoned fields, and pastures. The Genus name comes from the Greek words aix meaning "goat" and podion meaning "a little foot", referring to the leaf shape. The specific epithet means "snare of gout", referring to its traditional use as a treatment for gout.

The plant will grow up to 1 foot tall and spreads by rhizomes and seeds. It prefers partial shade to full shade although it may not bloom. It is an adaptable plant and grows in dry to moist well-drained soils. Leaf scorch can occur in the hot summer sun. It will spread aggressively.

Tiny white flowers appear in flat topped umbrels May to June and can be sheared to help prevent the spread of seeds. The compound green leaves with three leaflets may decline in summer heat and need to be mowed.

Some management options include spraying with herbicides, manually digging or hand-pulling of the plants, and continuously mowing the growth.  With herbicides, care must be taken to prevent overspray and damage or kill other plants, including native plants.  Digging and hand-pulling may be a long-term project with such vigorous growth.  The most effective means of eliminating goutweed would be to cut to the ground after it has just fully leafed out, then cover with black plastic.

Consider native alternatives listed in the lefthand column. If growing as a ground cover, please plant in a self-contained area or erect mechanical barriers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  These patches tend to displace native species. It can also inhibit the establishment of conifers and other native trees. Leaf blight is a somewhat common disease that worsens in hot and humid climates.