Description
Cimicifuga – Bugbane – Cohosh –
There are about 18 species of erect, clump forming perennials, in this genus. They occur in cooler areas of Northern region, usually found in moist, shady grassland, woodland, or scrub. They have compound, alternate, ternate, to 3 ternate toothed leaflets. The small, numerous, white or cream flowers, occasionally pink tinged, and usually to 3/4″ long, have 2-5 small petals and prominent tufts of stamens. They are crowded together in slender, bottle brush like racemes or panicles, which are followed by greenish white, then brown, star shaped follicles. Some are unpleasantly scented. They are suitable for a moist border or woodland.
Grow in moist, fertile, preferably humus rich soil in partial shade. Provide support. Divide in spring.
Prone to rust, and tarnish plant bug.
C. japonica – Japanese Bugbane – C. japonica var. acerina – This clump forming perennial from woodlands in Japan grows 2-3′ feet tall and 2′ feet wide. It produces long stalked, ternate or 2 ternate, toothed, hairy, dark green, basal leaves 12-30″ long, with 3 to 5 lobed, ovate to broadly ovate leaflets. From mid summer to mid autumn atop of slender, leafless stems it carries pure white flowers, to ½” long, in erect racemes, to 14″ long.
Zones 4-9
