Appalachian Bugbane
Actaea cordifolia
- Native to:
- United States
GBIF: Randy Bodkins
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Actaea
- Species:
- Actaea cordifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- ACRU14
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist then warm stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination may take two years under natural conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Seedlings must be grown at less than 20° and can overwinter at -20°, prick out while small, seed is viable for at least 6m