Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Actaea rubifolia

Actaea rubifolia

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Actaea
Species:
A. rubifolia
Binomial name
Actaea rubifolia
(Kearney) Kartesz
Synonyms
  • Cimicifuga rubifolia Kearney

Actaea rubifolia, commonly known as Appalachian black cohosh or Appalachian bugbane, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family. The plant does well in alkaline soils[2] and mature forests.[1] The "bugbane" in the name refers to its flowers' unpleasant smell, which can repel insects. It is poisonous if consumed by humans.[3]

The plant produces flowers in the early fall from August to October,[1] and is distinctly identifiable by its large stamens and reduced white petals.[4]

The species is vulnerable to extinction; small populations exist in Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and the lower Ohio River Valley.[3]

Both Actaea rubifolia and Actaea podocarpa bear resemblance to black cohosh, which, due to its vasodilation properties, is valuable for the treatment of menopause symptoms; harvesters of black cohosh sometimes mistake A. podocarpa for black cohosh, accidentally harvesting it.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  2. ^ "Actaea rubifolia". Native Plant Trust.
  3. ^ a b "Actaea rubifolia (Appalachian bugbane)". florafinder.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  4. ^ "Cimicifuga rubifolia". illinoisbotanizer.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  5. ^ Churchill, John B.; Brosi, Sunshine; Howell, James. "Risk Assessment to State Rare Mountain Bugbane in Western Maryland" (PDF).