Names and Myths

Actaea From the Greek name for Elder - applied due to similarity of leaves,

pachypoda thick stalked

Bane from old English = slayer, murderer

Natural history / Folklore

The berries are waxy white with a dark brown to black spot, hence the common name dolls eyes. All parts of the plant are poisonous.⁴³ Differ from bugbanes in that their flower cylinders are only a few inches long.¹⁷

Description

May - June Small white flowers with narrow petals in a broad raceme. In fall  the white berries with their distinctive purple spot on the bright red stalks are distinctive.¹⁴