A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Actaea rubra
Saw this next to a streambed. 3 leaves. Bright red, 1/2 inch wide berries. Nothing has eaten it.
Stream bed at 8500 feet elevation.
I know it's unpleasant to touch, but it's so pretty!
This is Baneberry, Actaea rubra, in the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). The berries are quite poisonous! A new book (2011) that you might find useful is Mountain Wildflowers of Southern Arizona, by Frank S. Rose (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press). He has photos of the flower, leaves, fruit, and whole plant for each species.
Spotted on Jul 20, 2012
Submitted on Jul 20, 2012
