Flora of New Zealand Series

goutweed

Stout, erect herb with long slender rhizomes. Stems hollow, grooved, up to 100 cm high. Basal lvs (1)-2-ternate, long-petiolate; ultimate segments ovate, acuminate, irregularly serrate, sometimes lobed, 3-8-(10) cm long, sessile or shortly petiolate; stem lvs similar to basal but usually smaller, 1-ternate and shortly petiolate. Umbels 2-8 cm diam.; rays few to numerous, 1.5-4 cm long. Fls numerous, white, 2-3 mm diam. Fr. dark brown with lighter ribs, 3-5 mm long.

N.: Gwavas Station (Hawke's Bay), Parewanui (near Bulls), Wellington City; S.: Nelson City, Christchurch, Timaru and scattered localities of inland S. Canterbury, Dunedin, Taieri.

Europe, Asia Minor, Caucasia, Siberia 1948

Gardens, waste places; a persistent weed once established.

FL Nov-Apr.

Goutweed is distinguished by its creeping habit and elder-like lvs. It is sometimes known by the common name ground elder.