Bugbane is a flowering herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. The Genus name is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet means simple or unbranched. This plant grows from rhizomes 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It prefers partial shade, dappled shade or shade on humus-rich moist soils and protection from winds. Propagation is by division or seed. Resistant to deer, rabbits and black walnut. The plant can be slow to establish. Seeds can take several months to germinate. The fragrant white flowers appear in clusters on a terminal raceme held above the foliage in late summer to fall. The attractive leaves are compound and dark green. Many cultivars are available with dark purplish leaves. Use this plant in the border or as a specimen in the shade, woodland or pollinator gardens. Avoid planting in areas with pets. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Rust and leaf spot are occasional problems More information on Actaea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark green attractive foliage is compound and deeply cut: trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves, and toothed leaflets. The compound leaves can be 1 foot long and wide.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The fragrant white flowers are in clusters held above the foliage and appear like a bottle brush. Bloom time is late summer to fall.
Poisonous if ingested. Can cause death in humans and may cause death in livestock or pets if eaten in large quantities. Roots and berries are the most toxic part of the plant and the berries are very bitter. Symptoms: Gastrointestinal distress and burning and blistering of allmucous membranes, lips and mouth. In large quantities heart failure.