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Native Plant Database

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Aruncus dioicus (Bride's feathers)
Weyand, Phyllis

Aruncus dioicus (Walt.) Fern.

Bride's feathers, Goat's beard

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: ardi8

USDA Native Status: Native and Introduced

Bride’s-feathers or goat’ beard is an imposing perennial, 3-5 ft tall. The stems bear several twice- or thrice-pinnately compound leaves, the segments prominently toothed. The large, feathery clusters of small, white flowers are reminiscent of astilbes. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, the staminate being more attractive.

Aruncus, from the Greek aryngos (goat’s beard), refers to the showy, finger-like flower clusters, which form feathery masses of all male or all female flowers. The species occurs around the Northern Hemisphere. The western plants once comprised a separate species, known as A. sylvester, among other names. Classification is still unsettled; some botanists consider western plants to be the variety pubescens, others consider them to be the variety acuminatus. The very similar False Goatsbeard (Astilbe biternata), of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae), has a lobed terminal leaflet on each leaf and two pistils.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Flower: Flower clusters 6 to 24 inches long.
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Male plants have showier flowers.

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , CA , DC , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SC , TN , VA , WA , WV
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: PA and IA, south to NC, AL, & AR
Native Habitat: Damp, fertile woods, mountainous areas
USDA Native Status: L48(NI), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Average to acid, mesic to moist soil.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates seasonal flooding. Needs a lot of space.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good for large-scale displays of white blooms in spring and summer, such as massed in a drift down a slope.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Dusky Azure

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Aruncus dioicus is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Dusky Azure
(Celastrina nigra)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Description: Propagate by division or seed.
Seed Collection: Ripens one month after blooming, female plants only.
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native shade plants around fountain in California
March 18, 2009
Hi, we just put a fountain in our front yard. It is in a mostly shady area. I need to know what plants would go best around the fountain and survive in the shade.
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Aruncus dioicus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Aruncus dioicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aruncus dioicus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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