Actaea rubifolia

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.[3] The "bugbane" in the name refers to the unpleasantness of its flowers' smell repelling insects. It is poisonous if consumed by humans.[4]

Actaea rubifolia

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this 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
  • Cimicifuga rubifolia Kearney

The plant produces flowers in the early fall from August to October,[3] and is distinctly identifiable by its large stamens and reduced white petals.[5]

The species is vulnerable to extinction; small populations exist in Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and the lower Ohio River Valley.[4]

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.[6]

References
  1. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  2. "Actaea rubifolia". Native Plant Trust.
  3. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  4. "Actaea rubifolia (Appalachian bugbane)". florafinder.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  5. "Cimicifuga rubifolia". illinoisbotanizer.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  6. Churchill, John B.; Brosi, Sunshine; Howell, James. "Risk Assessment to State Rare Mountain Bugbane in Western Maryland" (PDF).


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