Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa Black bugbane
Many common names of black cohosh include “bugbane,” since the unpleasant-smelling flowers tend to repel insects. This is a North American native. What’s a cohosh? A native American word for rough—a reference to the bumpy roots. See also the unrelated plant blue cohosh. Identification: Plants are 3-6' (91-182 cm) tall, rarely to 9' (2.7 m); and fast-growing. Leaves are toothed, irregular in shape, in roughly triangular clusters tipped by a larger three-lobed leaflets. Leaflets are 1-4" (3-10 cm) long. 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. Fruits are ⅛-¼" (6-9 mm) long, thick, and leathery. |
7/17/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine 7/17/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine |
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Some similar plants: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actaea racemosa |
Actaea rubifolia |
Sanicula canadensis |
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Plant | Plants reach 10-24" (25-60 cm). | Plants are 12-55" (30-140 cm) tall. | Plants are 12-24" (30-60 cm) high. Stems are light green, sometimes furrowed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | White flowers form on tall stalks up to 8' (2.5 m) in height, with the flowering portions up to 20" (50 cm) tall. | 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. | Small clusters, greenish-white, not especially interesting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Leaves often occur in groups of three, on thin stems, and are saw-toothed. | Toothed, shaped like maple leaves. Leaflets are 6-12" (15-30 cm) long. | In groups of three, and are less than 3" (7.6 cm) long. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruit | Black or dark brown seeds. | Fruits are ⅛" (3 mm) around, and reddish brown. | Seed pods are about ½" (1.3 cm) in diameter, and resemble burrs, with small hooks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones |
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Habitats | Rich soils in moist woods, ravines | Rich woods, open rocky woods, thickets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occurrence | Common | Endangered | Common |
Medical: Native Americans used extracts of this plant as analgesics, sedatives, or anti inflammatory drugs; for example, in the treatment of snake bites. Black cohosh is used by some today to relieve menopausal symptoms, but there are no rigorous studies to support this. See HerbMed for information on clinical studies of black cohosh.
Online References:
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa at the Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa on Discover Life
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa at Lucas Land: The Wildflowers of Highland and Bath Counties, Virginia
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa on www.frostburg.edu
7/17/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm) ID is uncertain
Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 29 Aug 2021.
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7/17/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine
≈ 8 × 12" (20 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain
Range: