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Aegopodium podagraria
  • Ground Elder

a perennial member of the Aegopodium genus in the family Umbelliferae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Aegopodium podagraria has 0 edible uses listed
Aegopodium podagraria has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5][6]. An unusual tangy flavour[7], the majority of people we give it to do not like it[K] although some reports say that it makes a delicious vegetable[8]. The leaves are best harvested before the plant comes into flower, they can be used in salads, soups, or cooked as a vegetable[9].

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

This species makes a good ground-cover for semi-wild situations[10]. Make sure that it has plenty of room since it can be very invasive and is considered to be a weed in many gardens[11].
There are no material uses listed for Aegopodium podagraria.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Ground Elder has a long history of medicinal use and was cultivated as a food crop and medicinal herb in the Middle Ages. The plant was used mainly as a food that could counteract gout, one of the effects of the rich foods eaten by monks, bishops etc at this time. The plant is little used in modern herbalism.

All parts of the plant are antirheumatic, diuretic, sedative and vulnerary[9][12][13][5][14]. An infusion is used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and disorders of the bladder and intestines[9]. Externally, it is used as a poultice on burns, stings, wounds, painful joints etc[9][15]. The plant is harvested when it is in flower in late spring to mid-summer and can be used fresh or be dried for later use[9][16].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism[9].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Diuretic
Sedative
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very easy, divisions can be carried out at almost any time of the year and the divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aegopodium podagraria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers damp shady conditions[4][12][10] but succeeds in most soils[10]. Prefers a well-drained soil, succeeding in sun or shade[16].

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[10]. This species was cultivated in the Middle Ages as a medicinal and food plant[3][17][18][15]. A very invasive plant, spreading freely at the roots[2][13][11], though it seldom sets seed in Britain[11]. Once established it can be very difficult to eradicate because any small piece of root left in the ground can regrow[K]. If introducing this plant to your garden, it might be best to restrict the roots by growing the plant in a bottomless container buried in the soil[16]. There is a variegated form of this species that is less invasive and is sometimes grown in the ornamental garden[11].

Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aegopodium podagraria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Aegopodium podagraria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aegopodium podagraria
Genus
Aegopodium
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[9][12][13][5][14][15][16]
Material uses & Functions
[10][11]
Botanic
[17][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Giersch bluetenstand.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Giersch bluetenstand.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Giersch bluetenstand.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Giersch bluetenstand.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.79.8 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    18. ? Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    19. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)

    "image:Giersch bluetenstand.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Aegopodium podagraria"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusAegopodium +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameGround Elder +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee + and Flies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageGiersch bluetenstand.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Diuretic +, Sedative + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageGiersch bluetenstand.jpg +
    Has search nameaegopodium podagraria + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAegopodium podagraria +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +