BANEBERRY. AKA RED BANEBERRY
GENESIS NAME: Actaea rubra
DISTRIBUTION: Most northern states in the U.S.A.. In Canada they are mostly present from Alberta east to the Atlantic coast.
SEASON: Blooms May to June
MEDICAL USE:
POISONOUS: Warning: The berries of Red Baneberry (and White Baneberry) are very poisonous if ingested and may affect the nervous system. European species have fatally poisoned children, but baneberries are not reported to have caused death to humans or livestock in the United States. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, mainly showy berries and roots. Toxic if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include burning of mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and hallucinations. Toxic Principle: Unknown, glycoside or essential oil, protoanemonin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
EDIBILITY: Warning: The berries of Red Baneberry (and White Baneberry) are very poisonous if ingested and may affect the nervous system. ... POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, mainly showy berries and roots. Toxic if eaten in large quantities.
FEATURES: Red baneberry generally has red berries (white in A. rubra var. neglecta), while those of white baneberry are generally white with a prominent black dot (the persistent stigma) on each berry, giving rise to another common name, doll's eyes
LEAVES: Green wrinkly looking leaves with sedated edges
FRUITS: Red berry but are poisonous
DISTRIBUTION: Most northern states in the U.S.A.. In Canada they are mostly present from Alberta east to the Atlantic coast.
SEASON: Blooms May to June
MEDICAL USE:
POISONOUS: Warning: The berries of Red Baneberry (and White Baneberry) are very poisonous if ingested and may affect the nervous system. European species have fatally poisoned children, but baneberries are not reported to have caused death to humans or livestock in the United States. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, mainly showy berries and roots. Toxic if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include burning of mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and hallucinations. Toxic Principle: Unknown, glycoside or essential oil, protoanemonin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
EDIBILITY: Warning: The berries of Red Baneberry (and White Baneberry) are very poisonous if ingested and may affect the nervous system. ... POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, mainly showy berries and roots. Toxic if eaten in large quantities.
FEATURES: Red baneberry generally has red berries (white in A. rubra var. neglecta), while those of white baneberry are generally white with a prominent black dot (the persistent stigma) on each berry, giving rise to another common name, doll's eyes
LEAVES: Green wrinkly looking leaves with sedated edges
FRUITS: Red berry but are poisonous
DESCRIPTION:
A bushy plant with large, highly divided leaves and a short, thick, rounded cluster of small white flowers in leaf axils or at stem ends. The branched, 1-3 ft. stems of this perennial bear two or three large compound leaves, each thrice divided. Leaflets are deeply saw-toothed. Above the foliage are dense, globular clusters of small white flowers. The fruit is an attractive, but poisonous, red berry.
In flower, the stamens give each cluster a feathery appearance.
Erect to upright. Stems may be branched near top. Leaves on lower stem 1–4, about 2 ft. long including long petiole, divided into 3 delicate maple-like sections lobed again, toothed; upper leaves smaller. Inflorescence at stem end a bottlebrush head of small white flowers. Flower petals fall shortly after opening. Berries glossy red, in clusters appearing in July. Occasional plant with white berries. Grows in deep soil pockets in conifer or mixed forests, streambanks, below timberline. Berries toxic, not eaten by any animals.
In flower, the stamens give each cluster a feathery appearance.
Erect to upright. Stems may be branched near top. Leaves on lower stem 1–4, about 2 ft. long including long petiole, divided into 3 delicate maple-like sections lobed again, toothed; upper leaves smaller. Inflorescence at stem end a bottlebrush head of small white flowers. Flower petals fall shortly after opening. Berries glossy red, in clusters appearing in July. Occasional plant with white berries. Grows in deep soil pockets in conifer or mixed forests, streambanks, below timberline. Berries toxic, not eaten by any animals.