White Baneberry

(Actaea pachypoda)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Color photograph: Homer D. House. 1918. Wildflowers of New York.

 

 

White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda Ell.)

Identification: Plant 1 to 2 feet in height. Flowers white, numbers, small located on a long, flower stalk. Flowers arranged in an elongate cluster, each flower with 4 to 10 petals and long stamens. Fruits white each arising from a strong pedicil. Leaves divided into 5 leaflets, each leaflet toothed. Plant 1 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: White Baneberry is found in forest, commonly alongside paths.

Flowering period: May to June.

Similar Species: White Baneberry is most likely to be confused with Red Baneberry. The flowering spike of Red Baneberry is not as elongate as that of White Baneberry and the berries are red, not white.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

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