Black Snakeroot Actaea podocarpa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Black Snakeroot:
Previously known as:
- Cimicifuga americana
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-TEE-uh poh-doh-KAR-puh
- Description
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Mountain Bugbane is a native wildflower in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its native habitat includes moist woods and slopes at moderate to high elevations of southern and central Appalachians. The genus name is the Greek word for elderberry. The leaves of the elderberry and Mountain Bugbane are similar in appearance. The specific epithet is Greek referring to the position of the seed at the base on the fruit.
It prefers rich, moist, acidic soils in part shade to full shade. This plant can take 2-5 years to establish. At maturity, it is at least 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Prune after flowering or fruiting. The soil should not be allowed to dry out or the attractive fern-like foliage will look scorched. Propagation by division is more successful than by seeds.
The showy flowers are tiny white bottle-brush shaped with no petals. The flower stems add another 5 to 6 feet in height late summer into fall. Flies are attracted to its strong foul odor of the flowers. It is considered vulnerable in some areas due to habitat lost.
Plant along shaded borders, shade gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized areas for architectural interest provided by the tall flower stems. It looks better when grown in groups and could be considered a ground cover since the foliage is bushy and close to the ground. If the ground is moist around trees, it can be planted as an understory like ferns.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. The tall flower spikes may need support if not sheltered from winds.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- actaea
- Species:
- podocarpa
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North america
- Distribution:
- GA, IL, KY, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Host to Celastrina neglecta major (Appalachian Azure). Flowers attract bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/3 inch long follicle has a short curved beak that splits open to release several seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Up to 1 ft tall slender racemes of tiny white flowers consisting of about 24 stamens, a single pistil, and no petals. The flower stems can grow to be 5-6' above the foliage. They have a strong foul odor that attracts flies for pollination. Individual flowers are 2/3 inch across. Blooms August to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green, deeply cut foliage with 2-3 ternate leaves, each with 3 coarsely toothed leaflets that are 4 inches long and 3 inches across. The foliage has a ferny appearance.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Branched stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits