Actaea racemosa L.

Common Black Cohosh; Early Black Cohosh; Black Bugbane

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Common Black Cohosh is a native herbaceous perennial in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to the eastern half of Alabama. Common Black Cohosh occurs in mesic deciduous forests, on wooded slopes, in ravines, and in rocky woods. It is a perennial with a knotty rhizome. Leaves are basal and cauline. Cauline leaves are alternate. Leaves are petiolate, 2-3 times ternately compound with 20-70 leaflets, and glabrous. Leaflets are obovate to ovate-lanceolate in outline, 2-5 lobed, with the margins toothed or incised. Fragrant flowers are produced in erect panicles of raceme-like branches. Individual flowers have 4 greenish-white sepals, 1-8 white petals, and 55-110 stamens. There is one pistil. The fruit is an ovoid follicle. Common Black Cohosh is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist, organic-rich soil in partial to full shade. The foliage tends to scorch if plants are excessively dry or exposed to full sun. Common Black Cohosh is deer and rabbit resistant. It has been used by Native Americans and herbalists to treat gynecological and other disorders.—A. Diamond

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Native

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