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Actaea simplex
Species of plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Actaea simplex, the baneberry or bugbane, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. A clump-forming rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, its native range includes the Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Siberian regions of Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.[3] Plants may be harmful if eaten, and the sap may irritate the skin.[4] The genus name Actaea is the Latin name adopted by Linnaeus from Pliny. The specific epithet simplex means simple or unbranched.[5] The common name "bugbane" refers to the fact that the leaves' scent repels insects.[6]
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Description
Growing to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall by 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) wide,[4] it has trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves. In summer it produces erect or arching stems with short terminal racemes of fragrant white blooms. It grows best in medium-moisture soils and part shade to full shade. In the US, it is suitable for hardiness zones 4 to 8.[5] It is important not to let the plants dry out in hot, sunny situations.[6]
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Cultivation
In cultivation in the UK, plants are still referenced and sold under their former name Cimicifuga simplex.[7]
They are popular garden plants, valued for summer colour. The Atropurpurea Group have deep purple or black stems with pink-tinged flowers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
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References
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