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Actaea rubra

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ak-TAY-ah ROO-brah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Red baneberry is a herbaceous perennial plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to North America. It is found in woodlands and other shady areas in moist to wet soils. It is a cool summer plant and is not found in the southeastern USA, Texas or Mexico.

These are slow-growing plants that reach 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide at maturity and prefer moist humus-rich soils in shade to partial shade. They spread slowly by rhizomes and can be divided as needed.

The white fragrant flowers with numerous stamens appear in fluffy-looking clusters on stems held above the foliage in spring to early summer. The light green foliage is compound and usually hairy.

Use this plant in the border or as a specimen in the pollinator/native or shade gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems. Rust and leaf spot are occasional problems

More information on Actaea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
 
White flowers and leaves
Flowers and leaves Robert Flogaus-Faust CC BY 4.0
Leaves and a cluster of red berries
Leaves and berries Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz CC BY-SA 4.0
Green compound leaves
Leaves Aaron Volkening CC BY 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Actaea
    Species:
    rubra
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators. Birds will eat the berries
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit matures to glossy red with a dark spot at the tip. They are about 1/3 inch across.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of white flowers in spring to early summer. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch with 4 to 10 petals and long stamens giving them a fluffy look.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Compound leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets, margins toothed and usually hairy on the undersides. Individual leaves are 2 x 2 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Green wiry stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous if ingested. Can cause death in humans and may cause death in livestock or pets if eaten in large quantities. Roots and berries are the most toxic part of the plant and the berries are very bitter. Symptoms: Gastrointestinal distress and burning and blistering of allmucous membranes, lips and mouth. In large quantities heart failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    cardiotoxic compounds
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems