Species library · Plants & herbs

White Baneberry: deadly poisonous

Actaea pachypoda

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

White Baneberry is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from August to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Deadly poisonous
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)

Photo: Eric Hunt · CC BY-SA 4.0

When White Baneberry appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

White Baneberry is usually found in Woodland.

⚠ Look-alikes

Red baneberryRed baneberry☠ toxic
American pokeweed☠ toxic
False Solomon's seal

Look up White Baneberry in the app

In the Forage app, White Baneberry has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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White Baneberry: common questions

Is White Baneberry poisonous?

Yes. White Baneberry is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does White Baneberry appear?

White Baneberry usually appears from August to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does White Baneberry grow?

White Baneberry is usually found in Woodland.

What can White Baneberry be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Red baneberry, American pokeweed, False Solomon's seal. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits