Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Actaea rubra [Actaea arguta] [Actaea viridiflora]
Family
Ranunculaceae
CommonName
red baneberry
Presence
YES
Status
native
EarliestDate
1938
LatestDate
2020
Ecosystem
montane, subalpine
Geobotanical
SSawatch, Garitas, SSanjuans, NCristos
Counties
Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, Archuleta, San Juan
Passes
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
Comments
In the Watershed, red baneberry is most commonly found by streams, but also grows in scree in the subalpine zone. As yet there are no collections from the Culebras but little doubt it is present there, judging from the many records from the Cristos extending on south into New Mexico (to the Mexican border). The USA distribution is Western states and across the north third of the nation. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans but probably not fatal unless eaten in large quantities. The white flower can easily be mistaken for that of Trautvetteria caroliniensis.