Home > Herbs > Actaea

baneberry

Actaea · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (9 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Baneberry, scientifically known as Actaea, is a genus of perennial herbs renowned for their striking, often toxic characteristics. Found in shaded woodlands, these plants feature distinctive clusters of white or red berries. While historically used in traditional medicine, their potent alkaloids require extreme caution due to significant toxicity.

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Rhizome · Root
Common names
Baneberry · Cohosh · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Dipleina · Actinospora · 8 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Actaea

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Actaea (Xanthidae)

German:

  • Christophskräuter
  • Silberkerze
  • Actaea (Xanthidae)
  • Christophskräuter

French:

  • Actaea (Xanthidae)

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and falls under the genus Actaea.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Ranunculales
Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Actaea

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. Its presence is documented across several countries, including Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species can be found throughout the territories of Great Britain and Norway. The distribution also extends into the landscape of Sweden. Collectively, these locations highlight its preference for the northern European environment.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Actaea has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Plant parts reported in Actaea
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Rhizome 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Rhizome

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
  3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
  4. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Root

  1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Actaea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cimicifugamide.

Chemicals reported in Actaea
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Cimicifugamide 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Cimicifugamide

  1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Preparations

Actaea has 3 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Dried rhizomes, crude extracts, dried rhizomes.

Preparations reported for Actaea
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Dried rhizomes 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Crude extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Dried rhizomes 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Dried rhizomes

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Crude extracts

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dried rhizomes

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology