Bugbane Actaea simplex
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bugbane:
Previously known as:
- Cimicifuga simplex
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-TAY-ah SIM-pleks
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bugbane is a flowering herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. The Genus name is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet means simple or unbranched.
This plant grows from rhizomes 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It prefers partial shade, dappled shade or shade on humus-rich moist soils and protection from winds. Propagation is by division or seed. Resistant to deer, rabbits and black walnut. The plant can be slow to establish. Seeds can take several months to germinate.
The fragrant white flowers appear in clusters on a terminal raceme held above the foliage in late summer to fall. The attractive leaves are compound and dark green. Many cultivars are available with dark purplish leaves.
Use this plant in the border or as a specimen in the shade, woodland or pollinator gardens. Avoid planting in areas with pets.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Rust and leaf spot are occasional problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Negligee'
Dark purplish deeply cut leaves - ‘Brunette’
Bronze foliage - 'Hillside Black Beatuy
Dark reddish purple foliage and pale pink flowers - 'James Compton'
Bronze foliage, flowers white with a pink tinge. - 'Pink Spike'
Chocolate purple foliage, pink flowers
- 'Black Negligee'
- 'Black Negligee', ‘Brunette’, 'Hillside Black Beatuy, 'James Compton', 'Pink Spike'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Negligee'
Dark purplish deeply cut leaves - ‘Brunette’
Bronze foliage - 'Hillside Black Beatuy
Dark reddish purple foliage and pale pink flowers - 'James Compton'
Bronze foliage, flowers white with a pink tinge. - 'Pink Spike'
Chocolate purple foliage, pink flowers
- 'Black Negligee'
- 'Black Negligee', ‘Brunette’, 'Hillside Black Beatuy, 'James Compton', 'Pink Spike'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Actaea
- Species:
- simplex
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Der, rabbits, black walnut
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 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 Type:
- Berry
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The fragrant white flowers are in clusters held above the foliage and appear like a bottle brush. Bloom time is late summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green attractive foliage is compound and deeply cut: trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves, and toothed leaflets. The compound leaves can be 1 foot long and wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Brownish-purple wiry stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- 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
