Perennials

Actaea pachypoda

White Baneberry

Ranunculaceae

Eastern North America (Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Georgia and Louisiana)

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height18–30 inches (45–75 cm)
Width18–24 inches (45–60 cm)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Actaea pachypoda is an upright clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching 18–30 inches (45–75 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). It is native to eastern North American deciduous forests and is grown primarily for its late-summer fruit display. Leaves are large, two to three times ternately compound, 12–20 inches (30–50 cm) wide overall, with sharply toothed leaflets, medium green. Small white flowers with numerous stamens are produced in dense cylindrical racemes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long in April through June. By August–September the flowers are replaced by the distinctive fruit clusters: porcelain-white berries, 0.3–0.5 inch (8–13 mm) wide, each with a prominent black dot at the tip (the persistent stigma), borne on thickened fleshy red pedicels. The red pedicels and white berries with black-dotted tips give the plant the common name Doll's Eyes. Each fruiting raceme holds 10–30 berries on upright stalks. All parts of Actaea pachypoda are highly toxic, particularly the berries, which contain cardiogenic toxins — consumption of even a few berries can cause cardiac arrest in humans.

Native Range

Actaea pachypoda is native to eastern North America, ranging from Nova Scotia and Manitoba south to Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, occurring in moist, humus-rich deciduous and mixed forests, often under maples, oaks, and beeches. It is a forest understory species, rarely occurring in open or disturbed habitats.

Suggested Uses

Planted in shaded woodland gardens, native plant borders, and naturalized areas at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The white berry clusters on red pedicels August–October are the primary seasonal feature and are most visible against a dark background of shade-garden foliage. Suited to moist, shaded sites in zones 3–8; particularly appropriate for native woodland gardens in eastern North America. Not suited to dry soils, full sun, alkaline conditions, or gardens accessible to unsupervised children due to high berry toxicity.

How to Identify

Actaea pachypoda is identified in fruit by the white berries with a black dot at the tip (persistent stigma) on thick fleshy red pedicels — this combination is unique among North American woodland plants and diagnostic at a glance in August–September. In flower (April–June), the dense cylindrical white fluffy racemes on large compound leaves, 12–20 inches (30–50 cm) wide with sharply toothed leaflets, are characteristic. Distinguished from Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry) by the white (not red) berries on thicker, red pedicels; A. rubra may occasionally produce white berries but lacks the consistently thick red pedicels. Distinguished from Cimicifuga species by the much smaller, rounder individual berries.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Dense cylindrical racemes of small white flowers with numerous stamens are produced in April through June, lasting 3–4 weeks. Racemes are 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long. White berries with black-dotted tips on thick red pedicels develop August through September and persist into October if undisturbed by wildlife.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained to average soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0 in partial to full shade. Water consistently during establishment and during summer dry periods; does not tolerate prolonged drought. Mulch annually with leaf litter or shredded bark to maintain humus content and moisture. No fertilization is required in soils with adequate organic matter. Performs in zones 3–8. Once established, clumps spread slowly by rhizome and do not require division for many years. All parts are highly toxic — keep away from children and pets.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. Cut stems to the ground in late fall after frost or leave standing through winter for wildlife habitat. Remove spent fruiting stalks in spring. Division in early spring is rarely necessary and may be done every 8–10 years if clumps become overcrowded. All plant parts are toxic — wear gloves when handling.

Pruning Schedule

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fall

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans