![]() Interestingly, the name Cimicifuga was also crafted by Linnaeus in 1753, although it was not properly published until 1763 through the efforts of the Austrian botanist Johann Jacob Wernischeck (1743–1804). He altered the name based on how the seed develops in dry follicles rather than in fleshy fruits, more typical of the genus Actaea. Nutall studied the vegetation in North America from 1810-1841, only returning to Britain once during the war of 1812. However, in 1818 the British botanist and zoologist Thomas Nutall (1786–1859) changed the plants' classification to the genus Cimicifuga. Recognizing that the Roman naturalist Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) had named Elderberry Aktea, he simply adopted the name for Bugbane. Linnaeus was most likely struck by the similarity of the foliage of Bugbane to that of the Elderberry shrub. The original genus name of Actaea was penned in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778). The botanical name of the plant has certainly endured its share of change over the years and remains a point of contention with some to this day. Actaea racemosa is native from southern Ontario to Georgia and west to Missouri and Arkansas, where it is typically found in woodlands and shaded rocky slopes (as seen in Picture 1). It created a wonderful feeling of depth and a lifelong appreciation for how best to use this elegant plant! Zoom in Picture 1: Actaea racemosa in a Woodland Garden at Stonecrop Gardens.īugbane is in the Buttercup Family or Ranunculaceae and has 12–18 species found throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. ![]() With a touch of genius, they had positioned a number of Bugbane plants such that you could view a small piece of statuary through the slender 6–8' tall floral stems. Fred had been the editor for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's informative Handbook Series and specialized in perennials, ultimately publishing a book entitled "The Perennial Gardener." Most of his knowledge came from the garden he and Mary Ann developed at their home, which they named Hillside Gardens. ![]() ![]() I find it interesting how we often see attractive native plants in gardens long before we see them in the wild! I first saw Bugbane, botanically known as Actaea (formerly Cimicifuga) racemosa at the Connecticut home and garden of Fred and Mary Ann McGourty. ![]()
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