The Latin specific epithet dioicus means "having the male reproductive organs on one plant, and the female on another". In Italy the young shoots are eaten, usually boiled briefly in herb infused water, and then cooked with eggs and cheese. In Friuli it is one of the ingredients in the local home-made soup based on wild greens called 'pistic'. Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus has shown potent cytotoxicity against Jurkat T cells.
Goat's beard needs at least an average amount of water. It tolerates soil that is above-average in moisture content.
Goat's beard likes a rich soil. If you prefer to stay organic when fertilizing, mix compost into the soil.
Trim the white blossoms after the goat's beard finishes blossoming in the middle of the summer. Use the pruning shears to trim the stems off at the base of the plant. Deadheading the goat's beard keeps the plant neat and may stimulate a second bloom before the end of the growing season.
Aruncus 'Kneiffii' has no toxic effects reported. Goatsbeard, (Aruncus dioicus), also spelled goat's beard, also known as bride's feathers, herbaceous perennial plant of the rose family (Rosaceae), native to the north temperate zone.The plant can reach 1.8 metres (6 feet) in height and has pinnately compound leaves that can be up to 50 cm (20 inches) long.
