Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - All parts of the plant, especially the berries and roots, contain toxins and should not be eaten by humans or pets.
Image of Actaea rubra
Source: OWSL
Actaea rubra

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Actaea rubra
Red Baneberry
Actée rouge

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: Apr - May
Hauteur max: 5,0 feet
Max Width: 1,0 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
Moisture wet Tolère des conditions de sol humide
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
Landscape Uses:
woodland garden 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.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

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

Distribution: Actaea rubra
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

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

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

No substitute plant data available for this plant.

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • 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:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • 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.