White Baneberry and Red Baneberry are very difficult to tell apart for the beginner. The obvious difference is in the colour of the berries: these plants are named for this. However, Red Baneberry berries are sometimes white!

The berries are poisonous.

Here is a summary of the main distinguishing features of each species:

Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra)
- Berries usually red, but sometimes white.
- Berries have a tiny dot at the end of each one.
- Berries are held on thin stalks.
- Flower racemes are generally as wide as tall.
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
- Berries are white.
- Berries have a large conspicuous dot at the end of each one.
- Berries are held on thick stalks.
- Flower racemes are taller than wide.

THUMBNAILS

Red Baneberry
(Actaea rubra)

White Baneberry
(Actaea pachypoda)

To see all Baneberries in order by Common Name → START HERE

Wildflowers ● Baneberries