Known to be toxic - All parts of the plant, especially the berries and roots, contain toxins and should not be eaten by humans or pets.
Plant Names
Actaea rubra
Red Baneberry
Actée rouge
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet
Light Condition:
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
Tolerates wet soil condition
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Tolerates wet soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for woodland gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Red baneberry produces clusters of small white flowers in spring followed by bright red berries on red stalks, creating a striking display in late summer. It prefers cool, shady areas with rich organic soil. It is an excellent choice for shaded native gardens, woodland restoration, and naturalized areas. It is slow growing and long-lived. It will form tidy clumps and does not spread aggressively.
Plant Location
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
No ecozone information available for this plant.
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Actaea rubra
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Actaea rubra
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Clintonia borealis
Yellow Clintonia
Clintonie boréale - Hepatica acutiloba
Sharp-lobed Hepatica
Hépatique à lobes aigus - Hepatica americana
Round-lobed Hepatica
Hépatique d’Amérique - Hydrophyllum virginianum
Virginia Waterleaf
Hydrophylle de Virginie - Solidago flexicaulis
Zigzag Goldenrod
Verge d'or à tige zigzagante - Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Heart-leaved Aster
Aster à feuilles cordées - Trillium erectum
Red Trillium
Trille rouge - Trillium grandiflorum
White Trillium
Trille blanc
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
No substitute plant data available for this plant.
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 2 years
- Double dormancy required
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: September
- Harvesting indicator:
- Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
- Harvesting:
- Put berries through strainer to separate seeds, then rinse with water
- Seed viability test:
- None
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
All parts of the plant, especially the berries and roots, contain toxins and should not be eaten by humans or pets.