The author, Gillian Brubaker, observed that goatsbeard flowers were blooming earlier than usual on a hiking trail in Anchorage, Alaska. Goatsbeard is a perennial plant that grows in moist woods, meadows, and along streams in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is also known to grow in moist to wet ravines, rocky ledges, and avalanche chutes. The Devil's club, another plant in the area, was noted to be as high as an elephant's eye. The Alaska Native Plant Society is dedicated to studying and conserving Alaska native plants, including Aruncus dioicus, also known as goat's beard, buck's-beard, or bride's feathers.

Observation by Gillian Brubaker:

I have hiked this trail for many years and don't ever recall seeing goatsbeard flower this early. I think it is usually end of July. Incidentally, the Devil's club is as high as an elephant's eye!

Resource:

"Goatsbeard, also known as bride’s feathers, is a perennial forb in the rose (Rosaceae) family. Native to the northern hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia, this plant generally grows in moist woods, meadows, and along streams. It is also known to grow in moist to wet ravines, rocky ledges, and avalanche chutes. In south-central and southeastern Alaska, goatsbeard grows abundantly in forest edges and along roads and railroad embankments." Read more: Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald) - By Betty Charnon, U.S. Forest Service

Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus)

Alaska Native Plant Society (ANPS) is dedicated to studying and conserving Alaska native plants.

Aruncus dioicus, known as goat's beard, buck's-beard, or bride's feathers (Wikipedia)