The American Bugbane

American bugbane (Cimicifuga americana ) is endemic to the southern Appalachian mountains, except the most northern part of its range, which extends in the central Appalachians into Pennsylvania, where it is rare. The Latin word “cimicifuga” roughly translates to “bug repellant,” or bugbane. Presumably, the name was given based on the ill scent of the flowers of some species (not C. americana). The American bugbane is included as a Rare species on the Pennsylvania Plants of Special Concern list and is found in rich forest habitats of only a few southwestern counties. This species blooms in August, much later than black cohosh, also known as fairy-candles (Cimicifuga racemosa, which does have malodorous flowers).

Black cohosh is popular as a medicinal plant, and sometimes American bugbane is collected by commercial interests in the mistaken notion that it is black cohosh. From a conservation perspective, the medicinal use of native plants has both positive and negative aspects. Public interest in our native flora increases awareness of conservation issues, but some plants have become so popular that they have been over collected by profiteers, and have become scarce. Black cohosh is still common in Pennsylvania, but if American bugbane is mistakenly collected in large quantities, this species could suffer significant decline, and ultimately could even disappear from Pennsylvania's flora.

Photo courtesy of Steve Baskauf, Vanderbilt University.

Reference: USDA; www.2bnTheWild.com - Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States.

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