Flower profile

Goatsbeard

Aruncus dioicus

Introduced in the lower 48

Goatsbeard is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

28states

2of our state lists

6,009U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska, Washington

Quick look

Aruncus dioicus, known as goat's beard, buck's-beard or bride's feathers, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the family Rosaceae, found in Europe, Asia, and eastern and western North America. It is the type species of the genus Aruncus. It has alternate, pinnately compound leaves, on thin, stiff stems, with plumes of feathery white or cream flowers borne in summer.
From Wikipedia's article Aruncus dioicus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 28 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Washington and Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,007 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #93 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,374 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #26 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

Goatsbeard gift ideas

Handmade goatsbeard gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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Goatsbeard art print
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Goatsbeard greeting card
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Goatsbeard mug
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Goatsbeard earrings
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Goatsbeard embroidery pattern
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Goatsbeard sticker
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (404 records)

Bloom time in each of our 2 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Washington	Native	May–July	2,007
Alaska	Native	June–August	1,374

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Alaska: No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: OK (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. ^{NC State Extension}

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records goatsbeard in 28 states plus Washington, D.C.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians West, Anchorage, Chugach, Copper River, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Matanuska-Susitna, Sitka, Yakutat.

More Washington flowers

Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–June

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Trailing blackberry

Rubus ursinus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: April–June

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile ARDI8.
iNaturalist, Aruncus dioicus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Aruncus dioicus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Aruncus dioicus (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
Photo: datadan via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.