Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
3-642.12.09
Actaea spicata
English: Baneberry; Herb Christopher.
French: Actée en epi.
Region: Europe, Caucasus to Afghanistan Himalayas.
Habitat: ash woods; on limestone, in damp stony woods; altitude to 1500 metres; deciduous woodland, clearings in coniferous woods; prefers humus-rich, moist soil, in light shade, doing well amongst shrubs and in light woods.
Ecology: greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of plants, legumes.
Content: tannin.
Use: medicinal; berries for black dye.
Botany
Herb; perennial; up to 70 cm tall; poisonous.
Stem: clump of leafy stems from a thick
Root: thick rootstock.
Pollination: by beetles, flies.