Riverside plant ID

[malex]

Found this plant py a riverside in Edinburgh. Any ideas?

[Dorts]

Hi
Welcome to WAB.
Your plant is Rodgersia podophylla . This is a not common, garden plant, usually planted beside ponds and streams. The leaves turn a coppery-red in the autumn. It does have a white flower similar to Astilbe to which it is related. Unusual to find it growing in the wild.
I'm afraid it is not usually refered to by a common name, (if it has one!).
Dorts.

[malex]

Thanks for such a quick reply. I don't suppose there's any danger of it becoming invasive , like G Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam etc?

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by malex

Thanks for such a quick reply. I don't suppose there's any danger of it becoming invasive , like G Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam etc?

Although each plant will increase in size over a period of time, it doesn't appear to produce fertile seeds in Britain, unlike Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam, which both spread by that means. So I should leave it where it is and enjoy it.
By the way malex, it is not native to Britain, it comes from Asia.
Dorts

[malex]

Thanks again Dorts, very interesting. I thought this must be something unusual as I walk this area regularly and know most of the plants quite well. I just wonder how it might have got there - if it doesn't spread through seed it won't presumably have blown over from a local garden for example?

[Hedera]

A small piece of root will grow - perhaps some got thrown away? Some of the species varieties do set seed and can be grown here.

[malex]

Thanks Hedera, think that's about all I needed to know.