[The Buttercup Family in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra

Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora

Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora) - Bright red fruits of Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)

A close-up of the inflorescence and uppermost stem leaf of red baneberry as seen at left along the Lowder Mountain Trail #3329, Three Sisters Wilderness.........June23, 2018. Note that the flowers lack petals. The photo at right shows the bright red fruits of red baneberry as seen along the Lewis River Trail between Curly Creek Falls trailhead and Bolt Camp Shelter, Gifford-Pinchot National Forest......October 4, 2021.

Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora) - Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)

The photo above and directly below both show the inflorescence of red baneberry as seen at 4100' atop the ridge dividing the Cougar and Dairy Creek drainages.........June 17, 2006. Note that the flowers lack petals.

Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora) - Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)

The photo at left shows the attractive foliage with its pinnately compound leaves and spent flowers of red baneberry as seen at about 4100' along the ridge that divides the Dairy Creek and Cougar Creek drainages on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Adams........June 13, 2005. The photo at right shows red baneberry blooming at a moist spot along the Lewis River Trail #31 downstream of Bolt Camp, Gifford Pinchot National Forest......June 18, 2024.

Berries of Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)

The photos on this page of red baneberry with its distinctive red fruits were taken along Hellroaring Creek adjacent to the Island Springs Trail at the east side of Mt. Adams.........August 25, 2005. The bright red berries are poisonous and will generally turn a purplish-black color when ripe. Note the pinnately compound leaves. Baneberry is an attractive plant which despite the poisonous berries, would be suitable as a garden plant, used enmasse at the middle of the garden border. The lacy flowers, attractive foliage and bright berries are all striking.

Sites on Mt. Adams Where This Species has been Seen:

1. Above 4000 feet in moist spots on the ridgeline separating the Dairy Creek and Cougar Creek drainages.

2. Along Hellroaring Creek below Bench Lake.


Ripe fruits of Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora) - Ripe fruits of Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)

Ripe fruits (both white and red) of red baneberry as observed along the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 uphill to the southwest of Rock Creek Pass, Yacolt Burn State Forest......August 7, 2021.

Berries of Baneberry, Red Baneberry, Western Red Baneberry: Actaea rubra (Synonyms: Actaea arguta, Actaea eburnea, Actaea neglecta, Actaea rubra ssp. arguta, Actaea rubra var. arguta, Actaea rubra var. dissecta, Actaea spicata, Actaea spicata var. rubra, Actaea viridiflora)


Paul Slichter