Mt. Hood Bugbane

Actaea laciniata

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Genus:
Actaea
Species:
Actaea laciniata
USDA Symbol:
ACLA12

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)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds
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) — 60–120 days
Germination Time:
30–180 days
Notes:
Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination may be delayed until the second spring after sowing.

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

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society