Red baneberry (Actaea rubra, Enum. Pl.: 561 (1809))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: (Aiton) Willd.

Bibliography: Enum. Pl.: 561 (1809)

Year: 1809

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Actaea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic America to N. & W. U.S.A.

Description

Red baneberry, scientifically known as Actaea rubra, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Subarctic America and the northern and western regions of the United States. This plant belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, which comprises a variety of flowering plants known for their distinctive and often toxic properties.

The red baneberry is easily recognized by its clusters of small, white flowers that bloom in spring. These flowers subsequently give way to bright red berries, which are both eye-catching and indicative of the plant’s common name. Occasionally, some varieties may produce white berries, but these are less common.

Historically, Actaea rubra was first officially documented in 1809 in the work Enumeratio Plantarum through the efforts of botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow, following an earlier classification by William Aiton. The plant’s specific epithet “rubra,” meaning “red,” references the vivid color of its berries.

Red baneberry typically thrives in shaded, moist woodland environments, preferring rich, well-drained soils. It’s often found in forests, wooded slopes, and shady trails, where it contributes to the diverse undergrowth.

While the plant is often admired for its ornamental appeal, it is important to note its toxic nature. The red berries contain cardiogenic toxins that can cause harmful effects if ingested, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in severe cases, more critical conditions affecting the heart. Due to its toxic properties, the red baneberry has been used cautiously in traditional medicine, but such practices are not advised without professional guidance.

Ecologically, red baneberry plays a role in native plant communities by providing a food source for certain bird species, which are immune to its toxins and help in seed dispersion. However, it’s less appealing to mammals, who are often deterred by its toxicity.

In summary, red baneberry (Actaea rubra) is a striking yet hazardous plant that adds both beauty and ecological value to its natural habitats. Its vivid berries and attractive foliage make it a species of note, meriting both admiration and caution.

Common Names

Eng: red baneberry, snakeberry
Dan: rød druemunke
Fra: actée rouge, pain de couleuvre, poison de couleuvre
Swe: amerikansk trolldruva, lännenkonnanmarja
Nno: amerikatrollbær
Nob: amerikatrollbær
Fin: lännenkonnanmarja
En: Red baneberry, Snakeberry
Da: Rød druemunke
Fi: Lännenkonnanmarja
Fr: Actée rouge, Pain de couleuvre, Poison de couleuvre
Nb: Amerikatrollbær
Nn: Amerikatrollbær
Sv: Amerikansk trolldruva, Lännenkonnanmarja

Synonyms

• Actaea americana (Pursh)
• Actaea rubra f. arguta ((Nutt.) Huth)
• Actaea brachypetala (DC.)
• Actaea arguta var. eburnea ((Rydb.) Cockerell)
• Actaea brachypetala var. alba ((L.) DC.)
• Actaea aspleniifolia (Greene)
• Actaea arguta var. viridiflora ((Greene) Tidestr. & Kittell)
• Actaea arguta var. pauciflora (R.R.Gates)
• Actaea caudata (Greene)
• Christophoriana alba ((L.) Nieuwl.)
• Actaea brachypetala var. rubra ((Aiton) DC.)
• Actaea neglecta (Gillmann)
• Christophoriana arguta var. alabastrina (Lunell)
• Actaea eburnea (Rydb.)
• Christophoriana rubra ((Aiton) Nieuwl.)
• Actaea spicata subsp. rubra ((Aiton) Hultén)
• Actaea viridiflora var. clementiorum (R.R.Gates)
• Actaea spicata f. arguta ((Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) Huth)
• Actaea longipes (Spach)
• Actaea viridiflora (Greene)
• Dipleina umbellata (Raf.)
• Actaea californica (Greene)
• Actaea spicata var. rubra (Aiton)
• Actaea spicata var. arguta ((Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) Torr.)
• Actaea spicata var. dissecta ((Britton) K.C.Davis)
• Actaea spicata subsp. arguta ((Nutt.) Hultén)
• Actaea rubra var. gigantea (R.R.Gates)
• Actaea rubra f. neglecta ((Gillmann) B.L.Rob.)
• Actaea spicata var. alba (L.)
• Actaea arguta (Nutt.)
• Actaea rubra subsp. arguta ((Nutt.) Hultén)
• Actaea americana var. rubra ((Aiton) Pursh)
• Actaea rubra var. arguta ((Nutt.) M.A.Lawson)
• Actaea americana var. alba ((L.) Pursh)
• Actaea rubra var. dissecta (Britton)
• Christophoriana arguta ((Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) Lunell)
• Actaea arguta var. alabastrina (Lunell)
• Actaea alba ((L.) Mill.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Finland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)

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.

Fruit

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Paul R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Makayla Osipenko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Cheryl Ekodeu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Abby Longworth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Karl Nord (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by kswail (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Mylène Boisvert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2021 by J Dugdale (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Erling Andersson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Romain Grimaldi d’Esdra (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 8, 2014 by EOL − kevinhintsa (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 4, 2015 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Amanda Baisley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Berthelot Chantal Marie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Louise Guenette (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 19, 2012 by EOL − Matt Muir (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Sherry Jones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2015 by EOL − Marv Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by Gayle Bates (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2015 by EOL − James Mickley (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken May 18, 2021 by Maria Suhostavtzeva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2019 by Pascal Pascal Rigaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2020 by Yannika Poirier-Martin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 13, 2022 by PT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2015 by EOL − faerthen (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 13, 2016 by EOL − owenclarkin (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 29, 2020 by Praveen Mathew (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371704)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1082557-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Actaea rubra (Aiton) Willd.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth