Goatsbeard—Aruncus sylvester is one of shrubs and belongs to rose family. It grows 1-2 meters tall. When its mature white flower-panicles become plumpy, they bend from the weight of the flowers; the name “Goatsbeard” was from this form looks like a white beard. Aruncus in Greek means a goat's beard and sylvester means woodland.
Leaves are alternate, compound, and distinguished; they have double pinnate toothed and pointed tips. The upper surface is dark green with red veins while the lower surface is light green and hairy. The stem has also a reddish cast. It’s blooming toward July; the flowers on long panicles, and the white five petals are each about 1 mm long. They turn a creamy-white and produce abundance of seeds, its seed-head is golden brown and seen in winter to spring.
Goatsbeard lives in moist and open woods, meadows, and along streams. It’s found from south Alaska to northwestern California, Oregon, British Columbia, Japan, Kamchatka, and over much of Eurasia.
Many natives have used it in different ways; for instance, some used the roots for curing blood diseases, some made tea from its roots to lessen stomach pain, and the others used both roots and leaves for curing smallpox.
Reference:
http://www.darringtonwatourism.com/a/darringtonwatourism.com/darrington/darrington-the-beautiful/wildflowers/wildflowers-directory/goatsbeard-aruncus-sylvester-k
