Mountain Bugbane Actaea podocarpa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cimicifuga americana
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-TEE-uh poh-doh-KAR-puh
- Description
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Bugbane is a native wildflower found in moist woods in the Appalachian Mountains. It grows 3-8 feet tall with a 2-foot spread. The one-foot spikes of white bottle-brush flowers appear on 5-6 foot stems in the late summer into fall and have an odd odor to attract flys for pollination. The ferny foliage is attractive for the rest of the growing season. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the foliage can scorch. It can be a slow plant to get established, can take up to 3 years.
It prefers moist rich soils in part to full shade. Plant in small groups in a woodland setting. Protect from strong winds.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: The tall flower stalks may need to be staked.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- actaea
- Species:
- podocarpa
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- 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). Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- 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
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- 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
- 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:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
