Mountain Bugbane is a native wildflower in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its native habitat includes moist woods and slopes at moderate to high elevations of southern and central Appalachians. The genus name is the Greek word for elderberry. The leaves of the elderberry and Mountain Bugbane are similar in appearance. The specific epithet is Greek referring to the position of the seed at the base on the fruit. It prefers rich, moist, acidic soils in part shade to full shade. This plant can take 2-5 years to establish. At maturity, it is at least 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Prune after flowering or fruiting. The soil should not be allowed to dry out or the attractive fern-like foliage will look scorched. Propagation by division is more successful than by seeds. The showy flowers are tiny white bottle-brush shaped with no petals. The flower stems add another 5 to 6 feet in height late summer into fall. Flies are attracted to its strong foul odor of the flowers. It is considered vulnerable in some areas due to habitat lost. Plant along shaded borders, shade gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens or naturalized areas for architectural interest provided by the tall flower stems. It looks better when grown in groups and could be considered a ground cover since the foliage is bushy and close to the ground. If the ground is moist around trees, it can be planted as an understory like ferns. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. The tall flower spikes may need support if not sheltered from winds. 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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Deep green, deeply cut foliage with 2-3 ternate leaves, each with 3 coarsely toothed leaflets that are 4 inches long and 3 inches across. The foliage has a ferny appearance.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Up to 1 ft tall slender racemes of tiny white flowers consisting of about 24 stamens, a single pistil, and no petals. The flower stems can grow to be 5-6' above the foliage. They have a strong foul odor that attracts flies for pollination. Individual flowers are 2/3 inch across. Blooms August to September.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
1/3 inch long follicle has a short curved beak that splits open to release several seeds.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Branched stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North america
Distribution
GA, IL, KY, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
Wildlife value
Host to Celastrina neglecta major (Appalachian Azure). Flowers attract bees.