Actea is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes anemone, monkshood, and delphinium. They are native to subtropical, temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America where they are often found in forests, woodland openings, and deciuous woods. Growing from a thick rhizome, plants have one or more branching stems, large, pinnately divided leaves with toothed leaflets, and tightly packed clusters of small fluffy white flowers that may attract pollinators. The fruit is a white, red, or purplish-black berry with a black dot which has led to the common name, “doll’s eyes”. The whole plant is poisonous, the berry is especially so, but birds are not affected by the poison and may eat the berries. Acteaes like part shade and humusy, consistently moist, well-drained soil. They have no significant pests or diseases and are propagated by division or seed.
The genus name, Actea, is derived from the Greek name for elder, Ἀκταία, (Actaia) because the leaves are similar in appearance.
The conditions in the Southeast have given rise to at least four native species of Acteas but they may be native to other areas of the country too. The Acteaes described here are native to at least three of the states in the Southeast.
White Baneberry (Acteae pachypoda)
Each stem has 2 or 3 bipinnate compound leaves that are toothed, up to 16″ long, and valued ornamentally for their attractive appearance. Dense terminal racemes of 10-28 tiny white flowers grow above the foliage, are up to 3.9″ long, and attract bees. The flowers give way to white berries 1/2″ in diameter and marked with a black spot. The pedicels thickens, become bright red and add interest into fall. The berries are very toxic to humans and many animals but they are eaten by birds without harm and the seeds are eaten by small mammals. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Alternate Name/s: White cohosh, doll’s eyes, necklace weed, toadroot, white beads.
Native Range: Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida as well as places in the Southwest, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, thickets
Type: Perennial
Height: 1-3′
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Bloom Color: White
Light: Dappled to deep shade
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Photo Credit: Doug McGrady, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain bugbane (Acteae podocarpa aka Cimicifuga americana)
The fern-like foliage on branched stems forms a clump 3-4″ tall and consists of deeply-cut leaves with oval to oblong, 3-lobed, toothed leaflets up to 4″ long. Branched terminal racemes up to 20″ long carry tiny white apetalous flowers 5-6″ above the foliage. Each flower is 2/3″ across and has a foul scent that attracts flies for pollination.
Alternate Name/s: Mountain black-cohosh
Native Range: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia as well as places in the the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
Habitat: Moist woods
Type: Perennial
Height: 3-8′
Bloom Time: Late summer into fall
Bloom Color: White
Light: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Black Cohosh (Acteae racemosa aka Cimicifuga racemosa)
The compound basal leaves are up to 3′ long and are divided into compound leaflets that are lobed and have toothed margins. Wiry stems carry small creamy white flowers in 1-2′ long terminal racemes well above the foliage. The flowers lack petals and sepals, and consist of numerous stamens surrounding a single stigma. The scent of the flowers attracts flies, gnats, and beetles
Alternate Name/s: Black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, fairy candle
Native Range: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas as well as places in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England
Habitat: Woodlands and woodlands openings
Type: Perennial
Height: 4-6′
Bloom Time: Summer
Bloom Color: White
Light: Part to full shade (flowering best with at least 3 hours of morning sun)
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Photo Credit: H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons
Appalachian Black Cohosh (Acteae rubifolia aka Cimicifuga rubifolia)
Large maple-like toothed leaves form a dense mound 1-2′ tall. Terminal racemes appear on stems 3-5′ long well above the foliage and carry densely packed white flowers that are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. The berries that follow are poisonous to humans but attract birds. For photograph of a flowering plant click here.
Alternate Name/s: Appalachian bugbane, American bugbane, fairy candles
Native Range: Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama as well as places in the Midwest
Habitat: Forests, woodlands
Type: Perennial
Height: 2-6′
Bloom Time: Late summer into fall
Bloom Color: White
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained, prefers alkaline conditions but tolerates acidic
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The Southeast includes Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. Most of these states are characterized by hot, humid summers and cool to mild winters, with Florida’s tip being tropical. Summers are generally hot and humid throughout the entire region. Precipitation is abundant in the area and comes mostly in the form of rain.