Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Sp. Pl.: 504 (1753))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 504 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Actaea

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Black cohosh, scientifically known as Actaea racemosa, is a remarkable plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It boasts a rich botanical history, having been first classified in 1753 by the renowned naturalist Linnaeus.

This striking perennial herb is indigenous to a broad swath of North America, stretching from Southeastern Canada through to North Carolina and Eastward across the United States. Its natural habitat typically includes woodland areas and forest clearings, where it thrives in the dappled sunlight that filters through the canopy.

Black cohosh is easily recognized by its tall, graceful spikes of white flowers, which bloom in early summer. These flowers give way to seed-bearing structures that add to the plant’s ornamental value. The foliage of Black cohosh is also noteworthy, with its large, compound leaves providing a lush, green backdrop to the dramatic floral display.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Black cohosh has long been valued for its medicinal properties. Indigenous peoples and early settlers utilized the plant extensively to treat a variety of ailments, particularly those related to women’s health. Even today, it remains a popular herbal remedy for managing symptoms associated with menopause and other hormonal imbalances, although scientific validation of these benefits continues to be a topic of research.

The cultivation of Black cohosh in garden settings is possible, provided one mimics its natural environment by offering moist, rich soil and partial shade. Gardeners who succeed in meeting these conditions are rewarded with a plant that not only enhances the landscape’s diversity but also serves as a historical and cultural touchstone.

In conclusion, Actaea racemosa stands out not only for its botanical beauty but also for its historical and medicinal significance. Its presence across a wide geographical range in North America underscores its resilience and adaptability, making Black cohosh a plant of enduring interest both to horticulturists and herbalists alike.

Common Names

Eng: black baneberry, black cohosh, black snakeroot, black bugbane
Deu: park-wanzenkraut
Swe: läkesilverax
Fra: cimicaire à grappes
En: Black cohosh, Black snakeroot, Black baneberry, Black bugbane
Ar: أقتى عنقودية
Zh: 黑升麻
Cs: Ploštičník hroznatý
Fi: Tähkäkimikki
Fr: Cimicaire à grappes
De: Traubensilberkerze, Park-Wanzenkraut
He: קוהוש שחור
Hu: Fürtös poloskavész
No: Klaseormedrue
Fa: توت مار
Pl: Pluskwica groniasta
Pt: Acteia
Pt-br: Acteia
Ru: Воронец кистевидный
Sv: Läkesilverax
Tr: Siyah yılankökü

Synonyms

• Megotrys serpentaria (Raf.)
• Macrotrys racemosa ((L.) Sweet)
• Cimicifuga serpentaria (Pursh)
• Thalictrodes racemosa ((L.) Kuntze)
• Cimicifuga racemosa ((L.) Nutt.)
• Botrophis serpentaria (Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 3, 2019 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2013 by EOL − David Yeany (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by m’lungo zungo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Rafał Has (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Patricia Young (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Fabi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 1, 2014 by EOL − Katherine Boyle (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by EOL − marystarkp (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 17, 2016 by EOL − Scott Schuette (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by E Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Yoann Lussier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2020 by Riel Huaorani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by Alisha Blair (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by Victor Pozdnyakov (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by pflantastisch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2007 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by E Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316204-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6376106)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Actaea racemosa L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth