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Actaea podocarpa is often confused with:
Actaea pachypoda Actaea pachypoda
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Viola canadensis Viola canadensis
Viola striata Viola striata

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

 

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.

 

More information on Actaea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#shade garden#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#shade border#wildflower#herb garden#woodland#late summer flowers
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#shade garden#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#shade border#wildflower#herb garden#woodland#late summer flowers
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Branched stems
  • 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