Herb Christopher, Baneberry
Actaea spicata
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Actaea spicata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Beetles, flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Ash woods on limestone and in damp stony woods to 1500 metres.
Most of Europe, including Britain, through temperate and arctic Asia to China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The root is antispasmodic, cytostatic, emetic, nervine and purgative. In Canada the root is used in the treatment of snakebite. It is also considered useful in the treatment of nervous disorders and rheumatic fever. In India it is used in the treatment of rheumatism, goitre and asthma. This remedy should be used with some caution, see the notes above on toxicity.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Cytostatic: Slows or controls the growth of tumours.
Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.
Other
Rating:
The smell of the plant is reputed to drive away vermin. A black dye is obtained from the berries when alum is used as a mordant. The seeds contain tannin.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
How it is grown
Succeeds in most conditions, but prefers a humus-rich moist soil in light shade doing well amongst shrubs and in light woods. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame or outdoors in a moist shaded seedbed. The seed has a limited viability, it can also be sown in spring in a cold frame but germination rates may be poor. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division in March or October.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of plant are poisonous but rarely fatal.