Cohosh Actaea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-TY-ah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This Genus contains about 25 to 33 species of flowering herbaceous perennials in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to subtropical, temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. The Genus name is derived from the Greek name for elder. In the 1990s the genus was redefined to include Cimicifuga and Souliea based on DNA evidence. These have dry rather than fleshy berries.
They vary in size depending on the species and can grow 2 to 6 feet tall in a clumping form. They are usually found in a forest or naturalized areas in humus-rich soils in partial shade to shade. Propagates by dividing the rhizomes and by seed. Resistant to black walnut, rabbits and deer.
Most flowers are white and appear in clusters on spikes. The berries that follow can be white or red. The leaves are generally green and compound. All parts of this plant are poisonous, with the berries and roots being the most hazardous. Berries are very bitter.
Use in a shade or woodland garden. Flowers attract pollinators and the birds will eat the berries.
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:
- A. pachypoda, A. podocarpa, A. racemosa, A. rubra, A. simplex
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- A. pachypoda, A. podocarpa, A. racemosa, A. rubra, A. simplex
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Actaea
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Baneberry was used as a medicinal plant by American Indians.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA, Europe
- Distribution:
- Mountains, Piedmont; gardens
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies, bees, beetles, flies, and hummingbirds. Birds will eat the berries.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Not edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 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 Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is white, red, or purplish-black. Berries have a black dot, often on thick, red stalks.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small and creamy white in a terminal, erect raceme. The numerous stamens give the flower clusters a feathery appearance.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green foliage. Leaves are spreading, pinnately divided with toothed leaflets. Varies per species
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
