Actaea rubra (Aiton) Willd.

Red baneberry, red cohosh, snakeberry, cohosh

Some similar species

	Actaea pachypoda	You are here Actaea rubra	Actaea rubra f. neglecta
Common Name	white baneberry	red baneberry	white-fruited red baneberry
Plant	White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is a plant that produces clusters of white berries. Red baneberry (Actaea rubra) produces red berries. This rare variant of white baneberry produces red berries. To make the confusion complete, there is also a rare form of red baneberry (Actaea rubra f. neglecta) that produces white berries.	Red baneberry is 1–3′ (30–91 cm) high.	1–3′ (30–91 cm) high
Leaves	Saw-toothed leaves are in groups of three, sometimes five, on thin stems. Leaflets are up to 4 ⨉ 2″ (10 ⨉ 5 cm).	On all of the baneberries, leaves often occur in groups of three, on thin stems, and are saw-toothed. Individual leaves are somewhat divided into three sections.	In groups of three, on thin stems, and are saw-toothed. Individual leaves are somewhat divided into three sections
Flowers	Flowerheads of small white flowers are roughly oval in shape. Each flower is ¼″ (6.3 mm) across.	Feathery flowerheads of small white flowers are roughly oval in shape. Each flower is ¼″ (6.3 mm) across. Flowers have a roselike fragrance.	Roughly spherical (racemes) of small white or purple Flowers ¼″ (6.3 mm) across, with a roselike odor. Flowerheads appear soft and feathery. Flowers appear in May.
Fruit	Red berries supported by pedicels that are ⅛″ (3 mm) or more in thickness. Instead of the tomato red of red baneberry, these berries have a more luminous deep magenta color, becoming more purplish with time.	Bright or dark red, oval berries are supported by pedicels that are less than ⅛″ (3 mm) thick.	Oval when green, becoming rounder and white when ripe
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats	Clay to coarse loamy upland soils, in hardwood and mixed forest stands.	Clay to coarse loamy upland soils, in hardwood and mixed forest stands.	Moist, shaded areas, such as forest floors

Actaea rubra description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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