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Safety Concerns
Name
Poisonous
Scientific Name
Actaea pachypoda
Family
Ranunculaceae (crowfoots, buttercups)
Description
A single-stemmed herbaceous perennial. Flowers many, tiny, in a tight, oblong or rounded inflorescence on a long stem. The sepals and petals fall off as the flowers open, leaving a mass of white stamens and pistils. Blooms May–June. Leaves are 3-times compound, on very long stems, with both lateral and terminal leaflets oblong, coarsely toothed, and on petioles. Fruits in open clusters, white berries with a purplish-black “eye” (the "doll's eyes"), each on a dark red stalk.
Size
Height: to 30 inches.
Where To Find
Found in the eastern half of Missouri, extending as far west as Moniteau, Camden, Dallas, Greene, Christian, and Barry counties, and (in the north) west to Livingston, Holt, and Atchison counties.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs in deep, rich woods and ravines, usually on north-facing slopes and at the bases of bluffs. This native species is becoming popular for woodland plantings and shade gardens; it offers intricate white flower clusters, interesting foliage, similar to that of astilbe, and the attractive white berries in the fall. Because the berries are both attractive and extremely toxic, it should not be planted where young children spend time.
Human Connections
The berries are poisonous, along with the rest of the plant. As they did with many other plants having such a formidable blend of chemicals, Native Americans and white settlers used the root medicinally. Today, we enjoy the way the pretty berries brighten the autumn woods.
Ecosystem Connections
Often, fruits serve to attract herbivores that consume them and disperse the undigested seeds. The berries of this plant, however, are toxic to most mammals, which won't eat them, although some birds do. Often, the berries persist on the plant, so baneberry is often found in small colonies.
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Media Gallery
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Credit
Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
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Similar Species
About Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants in Missouri
A very simple way of thinking about the green world is to divide the vascular plants into two groups: woody and nonwoody (or herbaceous). But this is an artificial division; many plant families include some species that are woody and some that are not. The diversity of nonwoody vascular plants is staggering! Think of all the ferns, grasses, sedges, lilies, peas, sunflowers, nightshades, milkweeds, mustards, mints, and mallows — weeds and wildflowers — and many more!