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. foetida – This clump forming perennial found from Russia to Northern Mongolia grows 2-6′ feet tall and 30-32″ wide. It produces 2 or 3 ternate, toothed, mid green basal leaves, to 3′ feet long, usually with 3 lobed, oval or broadly ovate to elliptic leaflets. From late summer to mid autumn it bears pure white flowers, to ½” long, carried on branched racemes, to 24″ long.
Zones 3-8
