Description

Red baneberry is found throughout much of the USA and Canada. In California its range includes the Sierra Nevadas, the Cascades and the coast ranges north of Santa Cruz County, with a few scattered populations elsewhere. Red baneberry prefers shady sites with rich acidic soil and moisture. Following winter dormancy, the leaf stocks rise with multiple serrated leaflets. The number of stocks increases from year to year in an expanding clump. After several years, the white flower appears, followed by a cluster of red berries. The baneberry is named for its poisonous red berries, which warn against planting in areas accessible to pets or young children.