Baneberry Actaea spicata

Features

The plant is very poisonous, especially the fruits! In the past, it was used in home medicine, which often led to poisonings. The poison in the fruit causes heart failure. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental species.

Species	Perrenial
Living space	Dark forest, Deciduous forest
Size	30-60 cm

Description

The herbaceous perennial with a strong, creeping underground rhizome is somewhat reminiscent of a semi-shrub in growth. Leaves 20-40 cm large, long-stalked, 2 to 3 times pinnately compound, terminal leaf segments ovate with a pointed apex, finely unevenly serrated along the edge. Flowers small, 4- to 6-digit, grouped in small-flowered clusters. The sepals and corollas fall off quickly, so only a number of white anthers are usually visible. The fruit is a black-blue, pitted strawberry.