Actaea spicata

Actaea spicata
19th century illustration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Actaea
Species:
A. spicata
Binomial name
Actaea spicata
Synonyms
  • Actaea christophoriana Gouan
  • Actaea corymbosa Stokes
  • Actaea densiflora M.Král
  • Actaea nigra (L.) P.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Schreb.
  • Christophoriana spicata L.Moench
  • Christophoriana vulgaris Rupr.

Actaea spicata, the baneberry or herb Christopher, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Actaea, native from Europe to western Siberia and northern Iran. It is often found on limestone edges and in deciduous woodland; key factors are shade, low competition, and a cool, protected root run.