Scientific details

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Actaea alba

 COMMON NAME(S): Baneberry, Doll's-eyes, Necklace weed
SYNONYM(S): A. pachypoda Ell.
FAMILY: RANUNCULACEAE - Buttercup family
ORIGIN: Eastern North America
HABITAT: Understory of rich woods
RANGE: Eastern half of United States and Canada
TYPE: Herbaceous perennial
HEIGHT: 2-4'
CHARACTERISTICS: Underground rootstock
LEAVES: Alternate, pinnate, divided 2-3 times, about 5" long; ultimate leaflets oval shaped, pointed at tip, lobed or toothed along margins
FLOWERS: White with showy stamens, borne in a short, unbranched flower stem
FLOWERING SEASON: Spring
FRUITS: White berries, often with a black spot at the tip; fruitstalk reddish

ALLERGENIC COMPONENTS: All parts, but especially roots and fruit
ALLERGENIC PRINCIPLES: Glycoside which forms an irritant oil
ALLERGENIC PROPERTIES: Respiratory and dermatological
COMMENTS: These common woodland plants have caused contact dermatitis, respiratory and eye irritation.

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