Aruncus dioicus
| Aruncus dioicus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |    |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Aruncus dioicus (common name: goat's beard)
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[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most moist soils in sun or partial shade[2][1][3]. Plants do well in moist to wet soils but will also tolerate fairly dry sites[4]. Succeeds in acid or limey soils[4]. Grows well on the woodland edge[1]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[3].
Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[2].
This is a polymorphic species, especially the form that grows in Japan[2]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value, 'Kneiffii' is only half the size of the type species[4].
Plants are fast-growing[4] and form very large clumps[2]. The flowers are sweetly perfumed[5].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[4].
Range: Europe, N. America and Asia.
Habitat: Damp woods, shady places and by streams, usually in mountainous areas[6][2].
Edibility: Budlings, stems and young leaves - cooked[7]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: The poulticed root is applied to bee stings[8][9].
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[8][9]. The tea is used externally to bathe swollen feet and rheumatic joints[8][9]. A salve made from the root ashes is rubbed onto sores[9].
Usage: Plants form a dense growth that is very effective at holding invasive plants at bay[4]. They can be used as a tall ground cover for large areas[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Known Hazards: Cyanogenic glycosides are found in the leaves[10].
Also Known As: A. silvester. A. vulgaris.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.