Actaea simplex

Actaea simplex, the baneberry or bugbane, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. A clump-forming rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, its native range includes the Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Siberian regions of Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.[3] Plants may be harmful if eaten, and the sap may irritate the skin.[4] The genus name Actaea is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet simplex means simple or unbranched.[5] The common name "bugbane" refers to the fact that the leaves' scent repels insects.[6]

Actaea simplex
Aizu area, Fukushima pref., Japan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Actaea
Species:
A. simplex
Binomial name
Actaea simplex
Synonyms[2]
  • Cimicifuga ramosa (Maxim. ex Franch. & Sav.) Nakai
  • Cimicifuga simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Turcz.
  • Cimicifuga taquetii H. Lev.
  • Thalictrodes simplex (DC.) Kuntze

Description

Growing to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall by 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) wide,[4] it has trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves. In summer it produces erect or arching stems with short terminal racemes of fragrant white blooms. It grows best in medium-moisture soils and part shade to full shade. In the US, it is suitable for hardiness zones 4 to 8.[5] It is important not to let the plants dry out in hot, sunny situations.[6]

Cultivation

In cultivation in the UK, plants are still referenced and sold under their former name Cimicifuga simplex.[7]

They are popular garden plants, valued for summer colour. The Atropurpurea Group have deep purple or black stems with pink-tinged flowers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit:-

  • ’Brunette’,[8] compact form
  • ’Hillside Black Beauty’,[9] pale pink flowers
  • ’James Compton’[10]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Actaea simplex.
  1. "Actaea simplex". The Plant List. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. The Plant List, Actaea simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Prantl
  3. Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 276. ISBN 9781405332965.
  4. "Actaea simplex 'Atropurpurea Group' - bugbane ( syn. Cimicifuga )". Crocus. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  5. "Actaea simplex - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  6. "Actaea simplex". www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. Bourne, Val (24 August 2002). "The Telegraph: How to grow: Bugbane". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  8. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  9. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  10. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
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