Actaea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-TY-ah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
In the buttercup family, Actaea spp. are perennial herbs grown from a thick rhizome that emerges in the spring. They will produce one or more branching stems. Depending on the variety, each stem will have either three leaves that branch towards the top or three compound leaves and one flower stalk from the central stem. Their leaves are spreading, pinnately divided with toothed leaflets. The flowers are small and white in a terminal, erect raceme. The fruit is white, red, or purplish-black berries with a black dot and often on thick, red stalks. The black dot's on the berries lead to the common name, Doll's Eyes.
It can be grown in an area with partial to full shade but will produce more flowers when placed in sunlight. When grown in deep shade, the stalks will bend toward bright light.
The poison does not affect birds, they will eat the fruit. Small mammals will not eat the pulp but will consume the seeds.
It is typically found in forests or natural areas, as well as rich woods.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: All parts of this plant are poisonous, with the berries and roots being the most hazardous.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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A. pachypoda
- 'Black Negligee'
Lacy black foliage - 'Misty Blue'
Bluish-green foliage - 'Pink Spike'
Pink flowers
A. podocarpa
A. racemosa
3-6', compound toothed leaves - 'Black Negligee'
- A. pachypoda, A. podocarpa, A. racemosa, 'Black Negligee', 'Misty Blue', 'Pink Spike'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
A. pachypoda
- 'Black Negligee'
Lacy black foliage - 'Misty Blue'
Bluish-green foliage - 'Pink Spike'
Pink flowers
A. podocarpa
A. racemosa
3-6', compound toothed leaves - 'Black Negligee'
- A. pachypoda, A. podocarpa, A. racemosa, 'Black Negligee', 'Misty Blue', 'Pink Spike'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Actaea
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA, Europe
- Distribution:
- Mountains, Piedmont; gardens
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies, bees, beetles, flies, and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Not edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is white, red, or purplish-black. Berries have a black dot, often on thick, red stalks.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small and creamy white in a terminal, erect raceme. The numerous stamens give the flower clusters a feathery appearance.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green foliage. Leaves are spreading, pinnately divided with toothed leaflets. The underside of the leaf may be lighter in color than the top.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous if ingested. Can cause death in humans and may cause death in livestock or pets. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! Burning of mouth and throat; salivation; severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea; dizziness and hallucinations.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unknown, glycoside or essential oil, protoanemonin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
