Aruncus dioicus aka Goat's Beard

Taxonomy

Genus Aruncus Family Rosaceae Order Rosales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Aruncus dioicus, also known as goat's beard, buck's-beard, or bride's feathers, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the family Rosaceae. It is the type species of the genus Aruncus and is found in Europe, Asia, and eastern and western North America. This rhizomatous plant grows in damp, fertile woods and mountainous areas of the eastern USA. The plant is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. The male plant has showier flowers with numerous stamens, while the female flower has only three. The alternate, pinnately compound leaves grow on thin, stiff stems, and plumes of feathery white or cream flowers bloom in the summer. In Italy, the young shoots are boiled briefly in herb-infused water and then cooked with eggs and cheese. In Friuli, Aruncus dioicus is one of the ingredients in the local homemade soup based on wild greens called 'pistic'. Additionally, Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus has shown potent cytotoxicity against Jurkat T cells. The Latin specific epithet dioicus describes the plant's reproductive organs, with the male organs on one plant and the female on another.

Common names

Goat's Beard, Buck's Beard, Bride's Feathers

How to care for Goat's Beard

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Goat's Beard, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Goat's Beard should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

If you're planting Goat's Beard, you need to make sure you use a potting soil that can retain moisture. While the soil should still be able to drain well, it should contain plenty of organic matter like coco coir or sphagnum moss to help it stay moist and nourish the roots of your plants. This is especially important since Goat's Beard is especially sensitive to dry soil. You can also add other amendments, such as compost, to help retain moisture and provide extra nutrients to your plants. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, throughout the growing season. With the right soil and proper care, your Goat's Beard will thrive!

Lighting

Goat's Beard requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Buck's Beard is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Goat's Beard has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Goat's Beard displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.

Region of origin

Goat's Beard’s native range is Europe, N. America and Asia.

More info:
Wikipedia

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