Red baneberry is a herbaceous perennial plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to North America. It is found in woodlands and other shady areas in moist to wet soils. It is a cool summer plant and is not found in the southeastern USA, Texas or Mexico. These are slow-growing plants that reach 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide at maturity and prefer moist humus-rich soils in shade to partial shade. They spread slowly by rhizomes and can be divided as needed. The white fragrant flowers with numerous stamens appear in fluffy-looking clusters on stems held above the foliage in spring to early summer. The light green foliage is compound and usually hairy. Use this plant in the border or as a specimen in the pollinator/native or shade gardens. 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.
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
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 pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Compound leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets, margins toothed and usually hairy on the undersides. Individual leaves are 2 x 2 inches
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of white flowers in spring to early summer. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch with 4 to 10 petals and long stamens giving them a fluffy look.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit matures to glossy red with a dark spot at the tip. They are about 1/3 inch across.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green wiry stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
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.