Family: Ranunculaceae
doll's-eyes, white baneberry
[Actaea alba auct. non (L.) Mill., more...]
Margery Melgaard
Aaron Carlson
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Actaea: an ancient Greek name, from its wet habitat and similarity to Sambucus leaves
Plants: erect, perennial, 1 1/2'-3' tall forb
Leaves: alternate; 2-3 times 3-parted into separate, sharply toothed, oval-oblong leaflets, usually hairless on the bottom
Flowers: white, 4-10-parted, petals falling off leaving numerous white stamens; mature stigma as wide or wider than the ovary; inflorescence a 2" dense, long-stalked cluster usually longer than wide; blooms May-June
Fruits: several seeded, white berry, occasionally red, on a pink to red, very thick stalk
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, forests; in rich soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 1 1/2'-3' tall forb
Leaves: alternate; 2-3 times 3-parted into separate, sharply toothed, oval-oblong leaflets, usually hairless on the bottom
Flowers: white, 4-10-parted, petals falling off leaving numerous white stamens; mature stigma as wide or wider than the ovary; inflorescence a 2" dense, long-stalked cluster usually longer than wide; blooms May-June
Fruits: several seeded, white berry, occasionally red, on a pink to red, very thick stalk
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, forests; in rich soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
- leaves 2-3 ternately compund
- leaflets sharply cleft and toothed
- inflorescence a short, thick, terminal raceme of whitish flowers
- fruits berry-like, white with a broad red or purple stigma (making it look like an eye)
- pedicels stout (nearly as thick as peduncle), stigmas during flowering broadly sessile at summit of ovary
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Aaron Carlson
Margery Melgaard
Aaron Carlson
Merel R. Black
Paul Drobot
Merel R. Black
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Mary Ann Feist
Mary Ann Feist
Paul Drobot
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
