Actaea rubifolia, commonly known as Appalachian black cohosh or Appalachian bugbane, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family. The plant does well in alkaline soils[2] and mature forests.[1] The "bugbane" in the name refers to its flowers' unpleasant smell, which can repel insects. It is poisonous if consumed by humans.[3]
| Actaea rubifolia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Actaea |
| Species: | A. rubifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Actaea rubifolia (Kearney) Kartesz
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The plant produces flowers in the early fall from August to October,[1] and is distinctly identifiable by its large stamens and reduced white petals.[4]
The species is vulnerable to extinction; small populations exist in Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and the lower Ohio River Valley.[3]
Both Actaea rubifolia and Actaea podocarpa bear resemblance to black cohosh, which, due to its vasodilation properties, is valuable for the treatment of menopause symptoms; harvesters of black cohosh sometimes mistake A. podocarpa for black cohosh, accidentally harvesting it.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ "Actaea rubifolia". Native Plant Trust.
- ^ a b "Actaea rubifolia (Appalachian bugbane)". florafinder.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ "Cimicifuga rubifolia". illinoisbotanizer.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ Churchill, John B.; Brosi, Sunshine; Howell, James. "Risk Assessment to State Rare Mountain Bugbane in Western Maryland" (PDF).
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