Black cohosh is a herbaceous perennial plant which has serrated and pinnate leaves with the three lobed leaflets. It can grow up to 3-8 ft. tall which depends on the growing conditions. The small white flowers are grown in the long stalks. These flowers turn into seed pods that dry out in early fall and late summer. The horizontal roots and rhizomes are black.
| Name | Black Cohosh |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Actaea racemosa |
| Native | Native to North America |
| Common/English Name | Black snakeroot, Squawroot, Rattlesnake root, Black cohosh, Macrotys, Black snakeroot, Bugwort, Bugbane, Rattleweed, Rattleroot, Rattletop, Richweed, Actée à Grappes Noires, Actaea racemosa, Actée Noire, Baie d’actée, Baneberry, Aristolochiaceae Noire, Cimicifuga, Cimicaire à Grappes, Herbe aux Punaises, Cytise, Phytoestrogen, Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Racine de Serpent, Tall bugbane, Sheng Ma, Columbine leaved leontice, Cordate rattle top, Black bugbane, False cohosh, Fairy candles and Papoose root |
| Name in Other Languages | Chinese: Zong zhuang sheng ma French: Chasse-punaises, German: Traubensilberkerze, Italian: Cimicifuga, Spanish: Cohosh negro |
| Plant Growth Habit | Herbaceous |
| Soil | Cool, well-drained, moist |
| Plant Size | 3-8 feet tall |
| Lifespan | Perennial, more than 2 years in wild |
| Roots | Thick, large, branching, black |
| Stem | Smooth, erect, unbranched, Height: 4-8 feet |
| Leaf | Alternate, compound, tripinnate, smooth, glossy dark green, Length: 15-60 cm |
| Flowering Season | June-August |
| Flower | Small, creamy white, feathery, hermaphroditic; Width: 2.5 cm (1 inch) |
| Stamens | Length: 1/2″ |
| Fruit shape & size | Oval shaped, follicle, 5-10 mm |
| Fruit color | Black or dark brown |
| Odor | Unpleasant (Flower) |
| Seed | Angular, glabrous, brown, triangular |
| Fruit Season | August-October |
| Health Benefits |
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