Actaea spicata

Actaea spicata (Baneberry, Eurasian Baneberry, or Herb Christopher) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Actaea, native to Europe and western Asia.

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It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing 30-60 cm tall. It has toothed, bipinnate compound leaves up to 40 cm long and 30 cm broad. The flowers are white, with 4-6 petaloid sepals, and are produced in an erect raceme about 10 cm long. The fruit is an oval glossy black berry, 10-11 mm long and 8 mm diameter.

There are two varieties:

• Actaea spicata var. spicata. Europe, northwestern Asia; at 0-1900 m altitude.
• Actaea spicata var. acuminata (syn. A. acuminata). Southwestern Asia, Himalaya, at 2500-3700 m altitude.

Cultivation and uses

It is an extremely poisonous plant. Despite this, it was used in the past in herbal medicines. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

References

• Flora Europaea: Actaea spicata
• Nepal Checklist: Actaea spicata var. acuminata
• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Actaea spicata
• Plants for a Future: Actaea spicata