This is a relatively large plant that reaches mature heights of 12 to 30 inches (30-76 cm. As for their uses, black cohosh has estrogenic, hypoglycemic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. These berries resemble the eyes of old-fashioned china dolls, hence the common name. Native to North America, the white cohosh is one type of cohosh plant used in herbal medicine. Baneberry is a name given to several plants in the genus Actaea, two of which are the main focus of this post – red baneberry (Actaea rubra) and white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda). Another common name of this species is White Baneberry, which refers to the appearance of the berries and their toxic nature to humans. Actaea pachypoda, commonly known as white baneberry, is a Missouri native perennial that typically grows to 30” tall and is primarily cultivated in woodland and shade gardens for its attractive white berries and astilbe-like foliage.It naturally occurs in deep woods, north-facing wooded slopes, bluff bases and ravines in the eastern part of Missouri (Steyermark). Do not use without a doctor’s advice. ). Noteworthy Characteristics.

Both the Native Americans and the early European settlers used small amounts of this plant as medicine. There are two baneberry species commonly found in understory wooded areas of the Midwest. White Baneberry Cherokee - Drug, Dermatological Aid Use documented by: Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 55 External contact with this plant may cause contact dermatitis in some sensitive persons. Originating from eastern Canada and the Midwestern and Eastern parts of the United States, this herbaceous plant is a common sight in woodlands and similar natural areas. In addition to doll’s eye, white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is known by a variety of alternate names, including white cohosh and necklace weed.

White Baneberry is also externally toxic. For the hybrids it is all mixed up. White Baneberry Blackfoot - Drug, Cold Remedy Use documented by: McClintock, Walter, 1909, Medizinal- Und Nutzpflanzen Der Schwarzfuss Indianer, Zeitschriff fur Ethnologie 41:273-9, page 275 View all documented uses for Actaea pachypoda Ell. Red Baneberry berries are held on thin stalks and have a … The end leaflet of the red baneberry is about 1.5 times as long as it is wide, while for the white baneberry the top leaflet is about 2.5 times as long as it is wide. This 3-foot-tall and 2-foot-wide clumping perennial displays spiky racemes of white flowers in late spring and early summer followed by bright white berries with dark tips on bright red stalks. White Baneberry berries are held on thick stalks, and have a large conspicuous dot at the end of each one.

Types of Baneberry White Baneberry. Also known as Doll’s Eyes or white cohosh, white baneberry is the common name given to the Actaea species, Actaea pachypoda, or Actaea alba. Uses: Despite this plant’s toxicity, it had some medicinal uses. Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra) berries are sometimes white, making identification of these two plants difficult for novices. Ranunculaceae Actaea pachypoda Ell. Actaea spicata commonly known as Baneberry, Eurasian Baneberry, Herb Christopher, Bugbane, Toadroot and Grapewort is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Buttercup family, but unlike other members of the species, it has berry-like fruit.The plant is native to Europe and Western Asia. The white cohosh plant produces white berries with a black spot in the center that resemble pupils.