Pronounced (approximate): ak-TAY-ah ROO-brah
White flowers form short fluffy clusters above the leaves. Numerous projecting stamens dominate the flower clusters.
Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra): white flower cluster closeup. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Ranunculaceae
Life cycle Herbaceous perennial
Blooms Spring–early summer
Height 1–3 feet
Habitat Moist shady woods and cool forest slopes
Common names
Red Baneberry · Red Bugbane
Bloom timing and height vary with location. Native status refers to North America; see the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Moist shady woods and cool forest slopes. Flowering season: spring–early summer.
Usually develops red fruit later in the season. Flowering plants should be compared carefully with White Baneberry.
White flowers form short fluffy clusters above the leaves.
Compound leaves have sharply toothed and lobed leaflets.
Look for herbaceous perennial growth in moist shady woods and cool forest slopes. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
5 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it.
Native across much of northern and western North America and the northeastern United States.
Reported U.S. native distribution
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
State records describe documented distribution, not presence in every county. The observation map shows reported sightings and may include cultivated plants.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Red Baneberry in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
