Actaea pachypoda (Cimicifuga alba) berries, The Old Dairy Nursery

Actaea pachypoda (Cimicifuga alba) foliage, The Old Dairy Nursery

Actaea pachypoda (Cimicifuga alba) flowers

Actaea pachypoda | dolls eyes

This plant will not be available in 2026, however, propagation is planned/underway. Please sign up for the waitlist below to receive updates on availability in future years.

Syn. Actaea alba
Previously known as Cimicifuga.

This genus has many common names: bugbane, baneberry, cohosh, snakeroot, dolls eyes. None of the common names do these beautiful plants justice. Long wands of fragrant flowers rise above attractive deeply lobed compound foliage between spring and fall, perfuming the garden. Lovely berries form after fertilization.

Actaea pachypoda is a treasure for the woodland or shade garden. Fragrant, fluffy white flowers rise above astilbe-like foliage in May or June. Flowers are followed by beautiful (creepy?) berry clusters in fall. White berries with black centers truly resemble dolls eyes, giving the plant its common name.

Adaptable, but happiest in humus-rich soil in part shade.

WARNING: This is one of the most poisonous native plants in eastern North America. All parts of the plant are highly toxic, particularly the berries and roots.

Special Characteristics