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. racemosa – Black cohosh – Squawroot – Black Snakeroot – This vigorous, clump forming perennial from Eastern and Central North America grows 4-7′ feet tall and 2′ feet wide. It produces 2 or 3 ternate, occasionally ternate, dark green, basal leaves, to 16″ long, with oblong, often lobed, or sharply toothed leaflets. In summer and fall, atop of slender, branched stems it carries racemes, 24″ long, sometimes curved, of unpleasantly scented cream-white flowers, to ½” long.
Zones 3-8
