Aruncus dioicus - Goat's Beard

Family:	Rosaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2
Width:	3
Synonyms:	A. silvester. A. vulgaris.
Range:	Europe, N. America and Asia.

Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2m and a width of 3m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 7.
Goat's Beard will flower in December to February. The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Goat's Beard will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Goat's Beard prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Goat's Beard can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp woods, shady places and by streams, usually in mountainous areas[50, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• Suits a meadow
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most moist soils in sun or partial shade[187, 200, 233]. Plants do well in moist to wet soils but will also tolerate fairly dry sites[208]. Succeeds in acid or limey soils[208]. Grows well on the woodland edge[200]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187]. This is a polymorphic species, especially the form that grows in Japan[187]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value, 'Kneiffii' is only half the size of the type species[208]. Plants are fast-growing[208] and form very large clumps[187]. The flowers are sweetly perfumed[245]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[208].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Budlings, stems and young leaves - cooked[177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The poulticed root is applied to bee stings[222, 257]. A tea made from the roots is used to allay bleeding after child birth, to reduce profuse urination and to treat stomach pains, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, fevers and internal bleeding[222, 257]. The tea is used externally to bathe swollen feet and rheumatic joints[222, 257]. A salve made from the root ashes is rubbed onto sores[257].

• Antipyretic - Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Birthing aid - Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.
• Stings - Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• VD - Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall. They can be planted out into their permanent positions at any time of the year. Division in early spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, the clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

Cyanogenic glycosides are found in the leaves[74].

Other Uses

Plants form a dense growth that is very effective at holding invasive plants at bay[208]. They can be used as a tall ground cover for large areas[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

'Kneiffii' - This cultivar is only half the size of the type species[208].

References

Flora Europaea
?
Author: ?
Rating:
Publisher : An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1964

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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