Actaea rubifolia
Species of buttercup / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Actaea rubifolia, commonly known as Appalachian black cohosh or Appalachian bugbane, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family. The plant does well in alkaline soils[2] and mature forests.[1] The "bugbane" in the name refers to the unpleasantness of its flowers' smell repelling insects. It is poisonous if consumed by humans.[3]
Actaea rubifolia | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Ranunculaceae |
Genus: | Actaea |
Species: | A. rubifolia |
Binomial name | |
Actaea rubifolia (Kearney) Kartesz | |
Synonyms | |
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The plant produces flowers in the early fall from August to October,[1] and is distinctly identifiable by its large stamens and reduced white petals.[4]
The species is vulnerable to extinction; small populations exist in Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and the lower Ohio River Valley.[3]
Both Actaea rubifolia and Actaea podocarpa bear resemblance to black cohosh, which, due to its vasodilation properties, is valuable for the treatment of menopause symptoms; harvesters of black cohosh sometimes mistake A. podocarpa for black cohosh, accidentally harvesting it.[5]