Appalachian false goat’s-beard a herbaceous flowering perennial in the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae) native to eastern North America mountains and found in rich woodlands and seepage slopes. The species name refers to the double subdivision of the leaves. This plant grows 3 to 6 feet Tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in partial shade to dappled shade. It does best in fertile moist soils that are well-drained but consistently moist. It is deer and rabbit resistant and black walnut tolerant. The floral display is exceptional with a plume-shaped inflorescence of hundreds of tiny white flowers held above the large leaves in late spring to early summer. There is plenty of nectar to attract many pollinators. It is similar to goat's beard and in the native habitat can be found growing together. Its showy floral display is exceptional and very unusual for a shade plant. It works well as a background plant in perennial planting beds, in woodland or shade gardens and makes for excellent cut flowers. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew, spider mites, and aphids.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Bright green, up to 2-foot, pinnately compound leaves divided into two parts; divided again into three-toothed or lobed, ovate leaflets; terminal leaflet has three lobes. Leaflets are 3-6 inches by 1.5-3 inches. Glandular-hairy on petioles and veins beneath.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Large, elongated, much-branched, terminal cluster of many small, white or yellowish flowers; ten stamens; hairy flower stalk; 4-5 narrow petals. Blooms May-July. It is dioecious with separate male and female plants.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The capsile is 2 chambered and splits to reveal seeds
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green stems emerge from rhizomes and are somewhat glandular-hairy above.