Goatsbeard, (Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus), Pacific northwest native perennial

Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus (Goatsbeard, Bride's Feathers)

Kingdom	:	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	:	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	:	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	:	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	:	Rosidae
Order	:	Rosales
Family	:	Rosaceae – Rose family
Genus	:	Aruncus L. – aruncus
Species	:	Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald – Bride's Feathers
Variety	:	Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald var. acuminatus (Rydb.) Rydb. ex H. Hara – Bride's Feathers

Photo credit: Viva La Ren

A graceful woodland perennial, Goatsbeard grows from 3-6' tall and quickly spreads to fill a site.

In the native garden, it provides an elegant backdrop for the smaller wildflowers - a bouquet that never fades!

Goatsbeard forms several erect stems to support the long plumes of tiny white flowers that droop like strings of pearls to adorn the fern-like foliage (similar to astilbe).

The medicinal properties of Goatsbeard were celebrated among Native groups.

Native to the Pacific northwest, in both the coastal and interior regions, Goatsbeard is hardy between USDA zones 3-7.

It is found along the edges of forests and streams, needing some shade and moisture.

Photo, left, credit: Anneli Salo; Photo, center, credit: dontworry; Photo, right, credit: Sten Porse

Photo, left, credit: Jerzy Opioła; Photo, center, credit: Jeffdelonge; Photo, right, credit: Syp

Photos, above, credit: Walter Siegmund

Above left: Goatsbeard with Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) understory

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