Toxic Plant 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.
Image of Actaea pachypoda
Source: OWSL
Actaea pachypoda

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Actaea pachypoda
White Baneberry
Actée à gros pédicelles

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light Condition:
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Landscape Uses:
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

White Baneberry is found in rich, moist forests and shaded woodland gardens. It has attractive clusters of white flowers in spring followed by distinctive white berries with dark “eye-like” spots on red stalks. The berries remain into late summer and add unique visual interest. It is excellent for woodland restoration. It is slow growing and long-lived. It forms tidy clumps and does not spread aggressively. It prefers moist, rich, organic woodland soils. Avoid hot, dry locations.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Actaea pachypoda
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

No ecozone information available for this plant.

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Actaea pachypoda

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Actaea pachypoda

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

No substitute plant data available for this plant.

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 2 years
  • Double dormancy required
  • Notes: Keep moist in fridge

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • None
  • Harvesting:
    • None
  • Seed viability test:
    • None
  • Packaging measure: None
  • Seed storage:
    • None
  • Cultivar: None
  • 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.