A bushy plant with large, highly divided leaves and a short, thick, rounded cluster of small white flowers in leaf axils or at stem ends. The branched, 1-3 ft. stems of this perennial bear two or three large compound leaves, each thrice divided. Leaves alternate, 2 to 3 times compound, sharply toothed and lobed. Flowers have small white petals, showy stamens, and a roselike fragrance; borne in a fluffy cluster. Sepals 3-5, whitish green, not persistent in fruit, plane, orbiculate, 2-4.5 mm; Petals 4-10, distinct, cream colored. Stamens 15-50. Pistil 1, simple; ovules many per pistil; style very short or absent. Fruit showy, poisonous, red or occasionally white berries on slender stalk; each containing 9-16 seeds. Seed dark brown to reddish brown, obconic to wedge-shaped, rugulose.

Analgesic, antirheumatic, galactogogue and rubefacient (root)

Actaea rubra
Plants for a Future

Protoanemonin (plant)

In the treatment of stomach pains, coughs, colds, menstrual irregularities, post partum pains, to increase milk flow and as a purgative after childbirth (root)