White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda, Sketch bot. S. Carolina 2:15. 1821)

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: Elliott

Bibliography: Sketch bot. S. Carolina 2:15. 1821

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Actaea

Vegetable: False

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

Description

White Baneberry, scientifically known as Actaea pachypoda, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. This plant is native to the rich, deciduous forests of Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States, stretching as far south as North Carolina.

Growing up to two feet in height, White Baneberry is renowned for its striking appearance. Its most distinctive feature is the cluster of small, white berries that it produces, which have earned it the nicknames “Doll’s Eyes” or “White Beads” for the eerie, eye-like black stigma scars marking each berry. These berries, although visually captivating, are highly toxic if ingested, which makes this plant hazardous despite its ornamental appeal.

The foliage of White Baneberry consists of compound leaves that are finely divided into leaflets with serrated edges, giving the plant a delicate, lacy texture. In spring, it blooms with numerous small, white flowers arranged in a dense, elongated cluster at the end of a thick stalk. These flowers then give way to the iconic berries that persist into fall.

Historically documented in 1821 by Elliott in “Sketch Botany of South Carolina,” this plant has been both admired for its aesthetic appeal and approached with caution due to its poisonous nature. It thrives in shaded forests where the soil is rich in organic matter, benefitting from the cool, moist environment.

For botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, White Baneberry presents a fascinating study of contrast between its ethereal beauty and potent toxicity. While it contributes to the biodiversity and visual splendor of woodland gardens, care must be taken to prevent accidental ingestion by humans and animals due to the poisonous alkaloids contained within its berries.

Common Names

Eng: baneberry, doll’s-eyes, white baneberry, white cohosh
Swe: vit trolldruva
Fra: actée à gros pédicelles, actée blanche
En: White baneberry, White cohosh, Baneberry, Doll’s-eyes
Fr: Actée à gros pédicelles, Actée blanche
Sv: Vit trolldruva

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (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.

Leaf

Taken May 31, 2020 by Jennifer Roberts (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2020 by marie laura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2020 by marie laura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Andrew Tannenbaum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Flynn misty (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 30, 2015 by EOL − roy pilcher (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 7, 2012 by EOL − benet2006 (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 2014 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 3, 2014 by EOL − roy pilcher (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by EOL − Susan Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Apr 20, 2005 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2019 by charline lefebvre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Manon Dery (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by jenyfer Renaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2021 by Michel G (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by PT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Raymond Munos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2020 by Hexal Oni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2005 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2005 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 20, 2014 by EOL − hcoyle (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 19, 2014 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 9, 2016 by EOL − Jessica Newbern (cc-by)

Taken Nov 26, 2014 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 16, 2015 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371705)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330907-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Actaea pachypoda Elliott)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth