Appearance
Black cohosh is a smooth herbaceous perennial plant that produces large, compound leaves from an underground rhizome, reaching a height of 25–60 cm. The basal leaves are up to 1 m long and broad, forming repeated sets of three leaflets having a coarsely toothed margin.The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer on a tall stem, 75–250 cm tall, forming racemes up to 50 cm long. The flowers have no petals or sepals, and consist of tight clusters of 55–110 white, 5–10 mm long stamens surrounding a white stigma. The flowers have a distinctly sweet, fetid smell that attracts flies, gnats, and beetles.
The fruit is a dry follicle 5–10 mm long, with one carpel, containing several seeds.
Actaea racemosa kz01.jpg|Leaves
Cimicifuga racemosa 002.jpg|Budding plants in cultivation
Actaea racemosa 003.JPG|Close-up of the flower
Actaea racemosa 001.JPG|Mature plant
Evolution
Native Americans used black cohosh in the belief it could treat gynecological and other disorders. Following the arrival of European settlers in the U.S. who continued the use of black cohosh, the plant appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia under the name "black snakeroot". In the 19th century, the root was used to treat snakebite, inflamed lungs, and pain from childbirth.References:
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