{"id":24586,"date":"2023-03-16T14:48:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T13:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=140977"},"modified":"2023-03-16T17:36:04","modified_gmt":"2023-03-16T16:36:04","slug":"ground-elder-guide-how-to-identify-foraging-and-uses","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/ground-elder-guide-how-to-identify-foraging-and-uses\/","title":{"rendered":"Ground elder guide: how to identify, foraging and uses"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is ground elder, why do gardeners consider it a weed, what do its flowers and leaves look like and what are its uses? Find out all this and more with our guide to this spring and summer-flowering member of the umbellifer family <\/p>

By Kevin Parr\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 16 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Although not native to the British Isles, having probably been introduced by the Romans, ground elder said (Aegopodium podagraria<\/em>) has certainly made itself at home \u2013 often to the chagrin of gardeners.<\/p>\n

Ground elder spreads through rhizomes, underground \u2018stems\u2019 that grow sideways through the soil, meaning it can be difficult to control. A new plant can germinate from a very small section of rhizome, so even areas seemingly cleared can be swiftly carpeted once more.<\/p>\n

Learn how to identify ground elder using its leaves and flowers with our species guide.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about Britain\u2019s flora? Check out our guides to orchids<\/a>, bluebells<\/a> and ferns<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>

Umbellifers of Britain<\/h4>\n
What is an umbellifer? What is the difference between cow parsley and hemlock? Is giant hogweed dangerous? Find out the answers to all these questions and more with our guide to umbellifers<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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How to identify ground elder<\/h2>\n
Ground elder is so called due to the shape of its leaves, which are triangular, toothed and ternate (arranged in threes), and the delicate white flowers that combine to resemble the elder tree<\/a> (Sambucus nigra<\/em>). Although the two are not related, both are traditionally foraged<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The dark green leaves of ground elder first appear as shoots in late winter and early spring, making them conspicuous in shady corners.<\/p>\n
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