Lecture Notes: Ground Elder in the Garden

Introduction

• Speaker: Maro from Wild Food UK
• Date: 12th March
• Location: Garden
• Main topic: Managing ground elder, a common garden weed

Identification of Ground Elder

• Scientific Name: Aegopodium podagraria
• Leaf Description:
  • Young shoots with trifoliate compound leaves
  • Leaves have serrated edges
  • Triangular shape typical of the Apaceae family
  • Mature leaves grow larger and less shiny

Historical Context

• Brought by Romans as a pot herb or animal fodder
• Consumed in the UK since Victorian times

Edibility

• Best Edible Part: Young unopened shoots
• Flavor Profile: Parsley-celery taste
• Culinary Uses: Salads, spanakopita
• Nutritional Content: High in Vitamin C (4x more than lemon)

Growth & Invasiveness

• Characteristics: Invasive, can take over flowerbeds
• Flowers: Umbelliferous, blooms make it 2 feet tall
• Risks: Becomes laxative or diuretic after flowering

Lookalikes

• Similar Plants:
  • Wild Angelica (different leaf arrangement)
  • Elder Tree (tree-like stem)
  • Caution: Elder is toxic

Challenges of Control

• Root System: Rhizomes, hard to completely remove
• Methods Tried:
  • Regular weeding (ineffective)
  • Light starvation (requires seasons to work)
  • Cutting back (ineffective)
  • Glyphosate usage (not recommended due to environmental concerns)

Glyphosate Use

• Developed by Monsanto, active ingredient in Roundup
• Health and environmental risks
• Not suitable for Maro's garden due to potential harm to favorite plants

Call for Help

• Maro requests suggestions for controlling ground elder
• Current solution: Consuming the weed

Conclusion

• To learn more, book a foraging course or visit WildFoodUK.com

Important Points to Remember

• Ground elder is invasive but edible
• Management of ground elder is challenging due to its resilient root system
• Glyphosate is controversial and should be used with caution
• Community input is sought for effective management strategies