Actaea pachypoda - White Baneberry

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.8
Width:	0.45
Synonyms:	A. pachypoda. Elliott.
Range:	Eastern N. America - S. Canada to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.

Actaea pachypoda (White Baneberry) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.8m and a width of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
White Baneberry will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

White Baneberry will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
White Baneberry prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rich damp woodlands[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Tolerates most conditions[233], but prefers a humus-rich moist soil in light shade[200, 233]. Grows best in the wild or woodland garden[200]. This species is closely related to A. rubra[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant, but especially the root, is anticonvulsive, antirheumatic, emmenagogue, mildly hypnotic, oxytocic and stimulant[207, 257]. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity[222]. A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds, rheumatism and syphilis[213, 257]. It is also used in small doses to ease the pain of childbirth[222] and is used as a stimulant to revive and rally patients at the point of death[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used externally to treat itchy skin and as a gargle for sore throats[257]. An infusion of leaves was drunk by the women of some Indian tribes in order to stimulate the flow of milk[213].

• Antipruritic - Treats itching of the skin.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Galactogogue - Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
• Hypnotic - Induces sleep.
• Oxytoxic - Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
• VD - Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame or in a sheltered outdoor bed[200]. Completely remove the seed pulp since this can inhibit germination. Stored seed does not usually germinate well[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are toxic, causing severe gastrointestinal inflammation and skin blisters[222].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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