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Actaea simplex

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(Redirected from Cimicifuga simplex) Species of plant

Actaea simplex
Aizu area, Fukushima pref., Japan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Actaea
Species: A. simplex
Binomial name
Actaea simplex
Wormsk. ex. Prantl
Synonyms
  • Cimicifuga ramosa (Maxim. ex Franch. & Sav.) Nakai
  • Cimicifuga simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Turcz.
  • Cimicifuga taquetii H. Lev.
  • Thalictrodes simplex (DC.) Kuntze

Actaea simplex, the baneberry or bugbane, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. A clump-forming rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, its native range includes the Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Siberian regions of Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. Plants may be harmful if eaten, and the sap may irritate the skin. The genus name Actaea is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet simplex means simple or unbranched. The common name "bugbane" refers to the fact that the leaves' scent repels insects.

Description

Growing to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall by 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) wide, it has trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves. In summer it produces erect or arching stems with short terminal racemes of fragrant white blooms. It grows best in medium-moisture soils and part shade to full shade. In the US, it is suitable for hardiness zones 4 to 8. It is important not to let the plants dry out in hot, sunny situations.

Cultivation

In cultivation in the UK, plants are still referenced and sold under their former name Cimicifuga simplex.

They are popular garden plants, valued for summer colour. The Atropurpurea Group have deep purple or black stems with pink-tinged flowers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

  • 'Brunette', compact form
  • 'Hillside Black Beauty', pale pink flowers
  • 'James Compton'

References

  1. "Actaea simplex". The Plant List. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. The Plant List, Actaea simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Prantl
  3. Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 276. ISBN 9781405332965.
  4. ^ "Actaea simplex 'Atropurpurea Group' - bugbane ( syn. Cimicifuga )". Crocus. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  5. ^ "Actaea simplex - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  6. ^ "Actaea simplex". www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. Bourne, Val (24 August 2002). "The Telegraph: How to grow: Bugbane". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  8. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  9. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  10. "Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
Taxon identifiers
Actaea simplex
Actaea cimicifuga var. simplex
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