Goat’s-beard (Aruncus dioicus, Rhodora 41: 423 (1939))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Walter) Fernald

Bibliography: Rhodora 41: 423 (1939)

Year: 1939

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aruncus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, E. Siberia to Russian Far East, NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Goat’s-beard, scientifically known as Aruncus dioicus, is an impressive perennial herb that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant is renowned for its tall stature and distinctive floral displays which have made it a beloved addition to natural landscapes and cultivated gardens alike.

Native to a wide geographical range, Goat’s-beard can be found flourishing across Europe, extending to the Caucasus region, and spanning East Siberia to the Russian Far East. In North America, its presence is notable in the northeastern and central parts of the United States. This extensive distribution underscores its adaptability to various climatic conditions, making it a resilient species in diverse environments.

The morphology of Aruncus dioicus is truly striking, with robust, erect stems that can reach up to two meters in height. During the blooming season, typically from late spring to early summer, the plant becomes adorned with large, feathery plumes of tiny, creamy-white flowers. These blooms form in dense, branched inflorescences which can stretch impressively long, creating a visually striking contrast against the plant’s deep green, pinnately compound leaves.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Goat’s-beard is its dioecious nature, meaning individual plants are either male or female. This characteristic requires the presence of both sexes within proximity to facilitate pollination and subsequent seed production. Male plants often boast more showy and conspicuous flower clusters compared to their female counterparts, making them particularly eye-catching during the flowering period.

An important player in ecological systems, Goat’s-beard serves as a significant source of nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Its ability to thrive in moist, shaded woodland edges and stream banks further enhances its ecological value, contributing to soil stabilization and providing habitat for wildlife.

The botanical heritage of Goat’s-beard dates back to its first formal description in Rhodora in 1939 by the botanist (Walter) Fernald. Since then, it has continued to capture the interest of botanists and horticulturists, not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its hardy nature and ecological contributions.

In summary, Aruncus dioicus, or Goat’s-beard, is a majestic perennial that stands out in both natural and gardener’s landscapes. Its wide distribution, dioecious reproductive strategy, striking floral displays, and ecological importance make it a plant worth appreciating and preserving in diverse environments.

Common Names

Eng: bride’s feathers, buck’s-beard, goat’s-beard, common goatsbeard
Dan: fjerbusk
Deu: wald-geißbart
Fra: barbe de bouc, barbe-de-bouc
Swe: plymspirea
Nld: geitenbaard
Cym: barf y bwch
En: Goat’s-beard, Buck’s-beard, Bride’s feathers, Common goatsbeard, Bride’s-feathers
Ca: Aruncus
Da: Fjerbusk
Nl: Geitenbaard, Geitebaard
Fr: Barbe de bouc, Barbe-de-bouc, Reine-des-bois, Barbe-de-chèvre, Aronce dioïque
De: Wald-Geißbart, Geißbart, Waldgart
It: Barba-di-capra
Sk: Udatník lesný
Es: Barba de chivo
Sv: Plymspirea
Cy: Barf y Bwch

Synonyms

• Aruncus silvester (Kostel. ex Opiz, 1852)
• Actaea dioica (Walter)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• France (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Jan Olšina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2018 by vincent de rudnicki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Hans Lüthi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Acharacle Nibheis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Jan Olšina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Emanuel Evin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2018 by vincent de rudnicki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 25, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2019 by Varrey Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Bernd Vogler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by Karen Vorberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Jan Löser (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 1, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Erin Brink (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2019 by Thomas Sanzey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Rose Dylan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Walderhaug Maren (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5362136)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20973-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald)

Specifications

Growth