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Actaea pachypoda
The stems are branched and are 1-3 ft. tall (although this plant was only ~6 inches tall). Stems have two or three large compound leaves, each thrice divided. Leaflets are deeply saw-toothed. Above the leaves are clusters of poisonous, white berries. This plant is sometimes called Doll's Eyes because the white fruit resembles the china eyes once used in dolls.
Spotted growing in a deciduous forest near the Hudson River.
"Both the berries and the entire plant are considered poisonous to humans. The berries contain cardiogenic toxins which can have an immediate sedative effect on human cardiac muscle tissue, and are the most poisonous part of the plant. Ingestion of the berries can lead to cardiac arrest and death. The berries are harmless to birds, the plant's primary seed dispersers." - Wikipedia
Spotted on Aug 15, 2016
Submitted on Aug 16, 2016
