Black Baneberry
Actaea racemosa
Also known as: black bugbane
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
H. Zell
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Actaea
- Species:
- Actaea racemosa
- USDA Symbol:
- ACRA7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Summer Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Requires double dormancy with warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Seeds may take up to two years to germinate in nature. Light aids germination.
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: Sow @ 20C for 3 months, then place @ 4C for 3 months.