A perennial plant, native to Europe and temperate
Asia and introduced into north America by European
settlers. Ground elder has long creeping underground stems
that give rise to numerous leafy shoots and stems. The
leaves are divided into toothed oval segments, flowers are
white and grow in small bunches. Although a weed and a
bane of gardeners, the young leaves can be eaten like spinach, and herbalists claim the plant is a remedy for gout: giving its ancient name of goutweed.