Flower profile

Red baneberry

Actaea rubra

Native in the lower 48

Red baneberry is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 8 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

32states

8of our state lists

24,046U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming

Quick look

Actaea rubra, the red baneberry or chinaberry, is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to North America.
From Wikipedia's article Actaea rubra, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 32 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–July. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 3,682 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #16 among the 110 flowers on our Minnesota list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,110 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #79 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,348 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #28 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

Red baneberry gift ideas

Handmade red baneberry gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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Red baneberry art print
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Red baneberry earrings
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Red baneberry embroidery pattern
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,035 records)

Bloom time in each of our 8 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Minnesota	Native	May–June	3,682
Oregon	Native	April–July	2,110
Alaska	Native	few records	1,348
Vermont	Native	May–June	1,319
Utah	Native	May–July	887
Montana	Native	May–July	812
Wyoming	Native	June–July	709
Idaho	Native	few records	504

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Minnesota: Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. ^{Minn. R. 6134.0300}
Oregon: Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. ^{OAR 603-073-0070}
Alaska: No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
Vermont: Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. ^{Vermont E&T list}
Utah: No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Utah.
Montana: No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Montana.
Wyoming: No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
Idaho: No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: IN (S1), KS (SH), OH (S2), PA (S2), RI (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Poisonous if ingested. Can cause death in humans and may cause death in livestock or pets if eaten in large quantities. Roots and berries are the most toxic part of the plant and the berries are very bitter. Symptoms: Gastrointestinal distress and burning and…” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsCan be a problem for cats, children and dogs

NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats, children and dogs. It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. ^{NC State Extension}

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records red baneberry in 32 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, Yamhill.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Anchorage, Bethel, Chugach, Copper River, Denali, Dillingham, Fairbanks North Star, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Lake and Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Sitka, Southeast Fairbanks, Yakutat, Yukon-Koyukuk.