Actaea simplex
| Actaea simplex | |
|---|---|
| File:Actaea simplex in Mount Ibuki f2 2011-08-28.jpg | |
| Aizu area, Fukushima pref., Japan | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Actaea |
| Species: | A. simplex
|
| Binomial name | |
| Actaea simplex | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Actaea simplex, the baneberry or bugbane, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. A clump-forming rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, its native range includes the Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Siberian regions of Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.[3] Plants may be harmful if eaten, and the sap may irritate the skin.[4] The genus name Actaea is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet simplex means simple or unbranched.[5] The common name "bugbane" refers to the fact that the leaves' scent repels insects.[6]
Description
[edit | edit source]Growing to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall by 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) wide,[4] it has trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves. In summer it produces erect or arching stems with short terminal racemes of fragrant white blooms. It grows best in medium-moisture soils and part shade to full shade. In the US, it is suitable for hardiness zones 4 to 8.[5] It is important not to let the plants dry out in hot, sunny situations.[6]
Cultivation
[edit | edit source]In cultivation in the UK, plants are still referenced and sold under their former name Cimicifuga simplex.[7]
They are popular garden plants, valued for summer colour. The Atropurpurea Group have deep purple or black stems with pink-tinged flowers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
References
[edit | edit source]
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- ^ The Plant List, Actaea simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Prantl
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