Actaea spicata
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 Actaea spicata fruit
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| Actaea spicata L. |
Actaea spicata (Baneberry, Eurasian Baneberry, or Herb Christopher) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Actaea, native to Europe and western Asia.
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- Flora Europaea: Actaea spicata
- Nepal Checklist: Actaea spicata var. acuminata
- Germplasm Resources Information Network: Actaea spicata
- Plants for a Future: Actaea spicata
 19th century illustration |
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