Perennial herb 1 - 2 m tall Stem: erect. Leaves: alternate, stalked, pinnately compound (divided up to three times), to 50 cm long. Inflorescence: either male or female, found on separate plants (dioecious), borne at ends of stems in narrow pyramidal spike-like clusters, 10 - 30 cm long. Flowers: white, tiny, having fused sepals with triangular lobes and petals to 1 mm long. Male flowers have more than fifteen stamens, and female flowers usually have three pistils. Fruit: a reflexed follicle, olive green, 1.7 - 2.5 mm long, nearly cylindrical, opening along one side. Leaflets: stalked, grayish green, 5 - 15 cm long, narrow to broad egg-shaped to nearly oblong with a pointed tip and rounded to heart-shaped base, rarely two-lobed, toothed, usually hairy beneath. The bases of the lateral leaflets are often unequally sided.

Similar species: The typical variety of Aruncus dioicus differs by having smaller (1.5 - 2 mm long), egg-shaped fruits, and green leaves that are usually hairless.

Flowering: June

Habitat and ecology: In the Chicago Region, this species is only found in Grundy County along the Illinois River. Elsewhere in Illinois, it is found in rich woods.

Occurence in the Chicago region: native

Notes: This species is grown in shady, moist locations in the garden. Male cultivars are commonly planted as the flowers are showier than those of female plants.

Etymology: Aruncus is the classical name for goat's beard. Dioicus means dioecious, or having separate male and female plants. Pubescens means downy, referring to the hairs on the lower leaf surface.

Author: The Morton Arboretum