Actaea pachypoda

Actaea pachypoda (Doll's Eyes, White Baneberry) in a mature Sugar Maple forest. Minnesota is at the western edge of this species range and typically occurs in deciduous forests with rich soil. In the southeastern corner of the state up to Duluth these forests are composed of Sugar Maple, Basswood, and Red Oak. From Duluth and along the North Shore Sugar Maple is the predominant tree species (there is no Basswood or Red Oak in these stands) where Actaea pachypoda grows. The Sugar Maple forests are restricted to a narrow band on steep hills between about 300 and 700 meters above sea level. This a sort of sweet spot for the maple where the chances of a late frost during the trees' flowering period are low. This happens because cold air at night rushes downhill while warm air rises to the level of the Sugar Maple forest. Actaea pachypoda is scarce in these North Shore maple stands and occurs as scattered individuals in the woods.