Actaea racemosa L.

Black snakeroot, black baneberry, black bugbane, black cohosh, fairy candle

Some similar plants

	You are here Actaea racemosa	Actaea racemosa var. racemosa	Actaea rubifolia
Common Name	black snakeroot	black bugbane	Appalachian bugbane
Plant	10–24″ (25–60 cm), with wiry stems. Don’t confuse black snakeroot with the unrelated plant Canadian black snakeroot. Both of these plants are found in eastern Canada and the eastern United States.	3–6′ (91–182 cm) tall, rarely to 9′ (2.7 m); and fast-growing.	Plants are 12–55″ (30–140 cm) tall.
Leaves	Basal, deep green leaves are up to 3′ (1 m) in size, and are tripinately compound: split into three groups of three groups of three. They have irregular teeth. Leaflets are 1–4 ⨉ ¾–4″ (3–10 ⨉ 2–10 cm) in size.	Toothed, irregular in shape, in roughly triangular clusters tipped by a larger three-lobed leaflets. Leaflets are 1–4″ (3–10 cm) long.	Toothed, shaped like maple leaves. Leaflets are 6–12″ (15–30 cm) long.
Flowers	Cream-colored, fragrant flowers form on tall stalks up to 8′ (2.5 m) in height, with the flowering portions up to 1½′ (50 cm) tall. Flowers appear from June to July.	The ill-smelling flowers form long, attractive, feathery-looking spikes 6–24″ (15–60 cm) long—hence the name “fairy candles.” Individual flowers have 4-5 sepals and are about ⅜″ (9.5 mm) in diameter.	White flowers form long, attractive, feathery-looking spikes 6–24″ (15–60 cm) long, straight or slightly curved. Individual flowers have 5 sepals and are about ⅜″ (9.5 mm) in diameter.
Fruit	A dry follicle 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long, with one carpel, containing several seeds.	⅛–¼″ (6–9 mm) long, thick, and leathery.	Fruits are ⅛″ (3 mm) around, and reddish brown.
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 3-8		USDA Zones: 4-8
Habitats	Rich soils in moist woods, ravines.	Rich soils in moist woods, ravines.

	Sanicula canadensis
Common Name	Canadian black snakeroot
Plant	Plants are 1–2′ (30–60 cm) high. Stems are light green, sometimes furrowed.
Leaves	Alternate, usually trifoliate. Lower leaves often appear more palmlike, with five leaflets. Leaflets and ovate, obovate, or broadly elliptic. Leaf margins are doubly serrated.
Flowers	Small clusters, greenish-white, not especially interesting.
Fruit	Seed pods are about ½″ (1.3 cm) in diameter, and resemble burrs, with small hooks.
Range/ Zones
Habitats	Rich woods, open rocky woods, thickets

Actaea racemosa description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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