[The Buttercup Family in Mt. Adams Country]

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) - 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 plants beginning to bloom along the Buck Creek Trail #54 at the east end of the bridge over Buck Creek, Mt. Adams, Gifford Pinchot National Forest.....May 29, 2020.

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)

Two photos that 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.

Leaves 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) - Leaves 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)

Red baneberry leaves at a small stream along the Green Mountain Trail #110 a hundred meters or so west of Trail #115, Gifford Pinchot National Forest......August 5, 2022. This is a few miles northwest of Mount Adams.

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 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.

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.


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