BANEBERRY
Baneberry, snakeberryActaea rubra and Actaea alba—RANUNCULACEAE
Baneberry, snakeberryActaea rubra and Actaea alba—RANUNCULACEAE
Description:The red and white baneberries are perennial herbs found in woodlands and occasionally as showy plants in gardens. Leaves are large on many branches and resemble those of the wildcurrant. The small flowers are white in spring. Plants generally grow about 1 to 2 feet in height. The attractive parts are the red or white berries which develop during summer and early autumn. They are in clusters on terminal flower stalks, each on a conspicuous short fleshy pedicel. Children have been poisoned by eating the berries.
Poisonous Parts:The root stock, sap, and berries. These produce marked irritation of the stomach and intestines causing nausea and violent purgation. If absorbed, the acrid principles can affect the heart, increase the pulse rate, and cause dizziness. Fatalities have been reported.
Antidote:Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat gastric inflammation and circulatory failure.