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Actaea rubra
  • Red Baneberry

a perennial member of the Actaea genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Actaea rubra has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are toxic[1], apparently acting upon the heart[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Actaea rubra.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Actaea rubra.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant, but especially the root, is analgesic, antirheumatic, galactogogue and rubefacient[1][3]. The plant was often used medicinally by North American Indian tribes, though modern users should be aware of the plants potential toxicity. A tea made from the root is used as an appetizer, in the treatment of stomach pains, coughs, colds, menstrual irregularities, post partum pains, to increase milk flow and as a purgative after childbirth[4][3]. Great caution should be employed if using this plant internally, the rootstock is a violent purgative, irritant and emetic[2].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antirheumatic
Appetizer
Emetic
Galactogogue
Purgative
Rubefacient

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame or outdoors in a moist shaded seedbed[5]. The seed has a limited viability[5], it can also be sown in spring in a cold frame but germination rates may be poor. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division in March or October.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Actaea rubra. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Tolerates most conditions[6], but prefers a humus-rich moist soil in light shade[5][6] doing well amongst shrubs and in light woods[7]. Also succeeds in denser shade[8].

Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[8]. A very ornamental plant[7]. Actaea rubra is part of a circumboreal complex and is very similar to the black-fruited European species A . spicata (L.) with which it is sometimes considered conspecific[9]. The western North American plants of A . rubra have been called A . arguta and were distinguished on the basis of their smaller berries, more pubescent leaves, and narrow, more dissected leaflets. Those distinctions, however, are weak; specimens from the West often have fruits and leaves similar to those of plants from the East[9].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Actaea rubra. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Actaea rubra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Actaea rubra
Genus
Actaea
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][3][4][2]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[5][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Actaea rubra 9451.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 [Flora of N. America] ()
    10. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Actaea_rubra&oldid=74722"
    Facts about "Actaea rubra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusActaea +
    Has binomial nameActaea rubra +
    Has common nameRed Baneberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageActaea rubra 9451.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antirheumatic +, Appetizer +, Emetic +, Galactogogue +, Purgative + and Rubefacient +
    Has primary imageActaea rubra 9451.JPG +
    Has search nameactaea rubra + and red baneberry +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameActaea rubra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Actaea rubra +, Actaea rubra +, Actaea rubra +, Actaea rubra +, Actaea rubra +, Actaea rubra + and Actaea rubra +