Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

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  1.   1.  Description
    1.   1.1  Growth
    2.   1.2  Obtainment
  2.   2.  Uses
    1.   2.1  Medicinal
  3.   3.  More
  4.   4.  'Souls
Common Name Black Cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, fairy candle
Latin Name Cimicifuga racemosa
Icon(s) Plants (general icon) Flower (general icon)

"black cohosh before the flower stalks"
by Dave Bonta (flickr.com)

Black cohosh
by Jane (flickr.com)

1.  Description

Black cohosh is a smooth (glabrous) herbaceous perennial plant that produces large, compound leaves from an underground rhizome, reaching a height of 25–60 centimetres (9.8–24 in). It bears tall tapering racemes of white midsummer flowers on wiry black-purple stems.

The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer on a tall stem, 75–250 centimetres (30–98 in) tall, forming racemes up to 50 centimetres (20 in) long. The flowers consist of tight clusters of 55-110 white, 5–10 mm long stamens surrounding a white stigma.

1.1  Growth

It grows in a variety of woodland habitats, and is often found in small woodland openings. A. racemosa grows in dependably moist, fairly heavy soil.

1.2  Obtainment

Common -- Native

2.  Uses

  • Scent: The flowers have a distinctly sweet, fetid smell that attracts flies, gnats, and beetles. Could be used to attract beetles for the cleaning of bones from corpses.

2.1  Medicinal

  • Sore throats, kidney problems, and depression
  • The roots and rhizomes have long been used medicinally by Native Americans. Extracts from these plant materials are thought to possess analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, black cohosh preparations (tinctures or tablets of dried materials) are used mainly to treat symptoms associated with menopause.

3.  More

4.  'Souls

  • Hey, did your character do something cool with this plant?
  • Or maybe your pack has it for trade?


Categories: Flora | Resources