Britannica AI Icon

red baneberry

plant
Also known as: Actaea rubra, red cohosh

Quick Summary

Red baneberry (Actaea rubra) is a North American perennial herb belonging to the buttercup family. It is characterized by compound leaves, small white flowers arranged in terminal racemes, and distinctive bright red, oval berries. This plant is also known as redberry or red cohosh. Like other baneberry species, its roots and berries contain irritant resins that can cause vomiting and have a cathartic effect, making them poisonous. Despite their toxicity, baneberries are considered suitable for shady wild gardens.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. red baneberry
  2. baneberry

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.