Spotting

Thanks everyone!

From Design Outside:

Control Methods for Ground Elder/Goutweed

Non chemical

Constantly dig and weed the area and continue with regular hoeing, this exhausts the plant and is very effective. Never add to the compost, there is a risk that bits of rhizome will remain intact. Dig out and burn, never use a rotivator as this breaks the rhizome into many tiny pieces ready for growth.


If it is coming from an adjoining property a physical barrier buried to about 30 cm should deter it as most stems creep just below the surface. If you are transferring plants from an infested area make sure you thoroughly clean the plant for transfer. It may be more prudent to destroy the plant than risk infesting another area. Cover the infested area with a mulch membrane for a minimum of 2 - 3 years, this is effective, vigorous plants can be planted through membrane i.e. squashes and sunflowers.


For larger areas grass down (with seed or turf) and mow for a number of years. This may require up to five years, or until clear, but this is the most effective.


Chemical

The most effective weedkillers contain glyphosate, a broad spectrum non-selective systemic herbicide; glyphosate is inactivated on contact with the soil, so there is no risk of damage to the roots of nearby ornamentals.


For the best results use around mid-summer. This is when the plants are growing well and are moving their sap at a higher rate, there is also plenty of leaf growth just before flowering. It is important to check for regrowth later in the summer as one application will only weaken the plant, continued applications are required. Please note that it is essential to prevent the spray from coming into contact with the foliage of other garden plants.

Thanks for the quick response. How do I get rid of it?

It might be Pimpinella tomentosa

This is another plant that is considered invasive (not native and displaces native plants.)

The young shoots of Bishop's goutweed are edible. It spreads very quickly and is hard to get rid of, if it has already occupied your garden. It has the ability to vegetatively reproduce even from very small pieces of its root.