aegopodium podagraria


ground elder

ground elder

A food source imported into England by the Romans that got out of control. Also called Bishop’s weed, has white flower clusters like poison hemlock, but leaves are very different, more like an Elder (but unrelated). Small white 5-petal flowers. Very invasive nuisance plant that takes over other plants, even a tiny piece of root left in ground grows new plants, making this is a limitless food source. All aboveground parts are edible (not roots) Young leaves used as salad greens. Pinch off pre-flowering bugs to keep leaves more nutritious. Plant is diuretic and laxative. Used medicinally for gout, arthritis, rheumatism, bladder disorders. Has triangular stem (no toxic lookalike does)