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False Goat's-beard

Astilbe biternata

Found in cove forests, seepage slopes, boulderfield forests. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

13
Modest

Native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 100%

Height
3–6 feet
Spread
2–3 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist

Space about 2.5 ft apart from its recorded spread, about 16 per 100 sq ft. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
May to June
Fruiting season
July to August

Recorded in 1 West Virginia county.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 3

Rich cove forests

Sheltered, moist mountain hollows and lower slopes with deep, fertile soil.

Seeps and springs

Places where groundwater keeps the soil or rock wet, such as seepage slopes and spring runs.

Northern hardwood forests

High mountain forests of beech, yellow birch and sugar maple, including boulderfield forests.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV
4BeesSoutheastern regional records

Southeastern regional records · Astilbe

Individual names are not available yet.

Noori, Seltmann & Orr 2026, A curated and integrated dataset for exploring global bee-plant interactions (GloBI), Zenodo, CC BY 4.0
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Saxifragaceae
Hardiness
Zones 5a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Cream, pink or white
Fruit begins
July
Fruit ends
August

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Appalachian False Goats Beard; False Goat's beard

Conservation status

West Virginia rankNot available
Global rankG4G5
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources