Bishop's Goutweed

Vigorous, rhizomatous perennial groundcover; variegated variety is a common ornamental plant.

Ecological Threat

• Aggressively invades forests, forest edges, fields, pastures, plantings, disturbed areas.
• Planted and naturalized statewide.
• Outcompetes native herbaceous layer, forming dense patches.
• Reduces tree seedling germination and inhibits establishment.
• Recognized as an invasive across much of the United States.
• Perennial and shade-tolerant, this plant spreads vigorously through rhizomes.

Other names for this plant include:

• Common names: Goutwort, snow-on-the-mountain (variegated cultivar), Herb-Gerard, wild or English masterwort, ax-ashe weed, aise-weed, dwarf weed, bishop’s weed, white-ash-herb, garden-plague, dog-elder, ground-elder, jackjump-about.