Actaea racemosa

Object Details

Description: This shade-loving, understory plant has tall, eye-catching spikes of white flowers in the summer. The name cohosh comes from an Algonquin word meaning rough, in reference to the appearance of the underground stems of this plant. Another of this plant’s names, bugbane, references its strong odor, which can repel insects.
Hardiness: -40 - 20 F
Attracts: Host plant for larvae and butterflies of spring azure (Celastrina ladon), holly blue (Celastrina argiolus), and appalachian azure (Celastrina neglectamajor). Attracts birds.
Bloom Time: June to July
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical: Native American have used this plant to treat gynocological issues, musculoskeletal pain, fever, cough, pneumonia, and sluggish labor. Colonial Americans used this plant in a general tonic to for women's reproductive health. Black cohosh has been studied several times, and it shows both promise, and adverse side effects if misused.
Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Life Form: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom Characteristics: Terminal racemes covered in fluffy, white flowers. Spikes are 1-2' (30-60 cm) long and last about 3 weeks.
Foliage Characteristics: Compound, alternate, ripinnate foliage is deeply cut and green. Leaves are up to 3' (90 cm) long. Leaflets are
Fragrance: Unpleasant; repels bugs.
Fruit Characteristics: Small, dry, brown, green, and white seedpods from July to September.
Plant Size: 4-6' tall x 2-4' wide (1.2-1.8 x .6-1.2 meters)