BC Conservation Data Centre: Species Summary
Actaea elata var. elata
tall bugbane
| Scientific Name: | Actaea elata var. elata | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Cimicifuga elata
|
||||||||||
| English Name: | tall bugbane | ||||||||||
| Classification / Taxonomy | |||||||||||
| Scientific Name - Concept Reference: | Lee, H.-W. and C.-W. Park. 2004. New taxa of Cimicifuga (Ranunculaceae) from Korea and the United States. Novon 14: 180-184. | ||||||||||
| Classification Level: | Variety | ||||||||||
| Taxonomy Comments: | In recognition of Actaea elata var. alpestris in Oregon, published in Lee, Hyun-Woo and Chong-Wook, SNAME was changed to Actaea elata var. elata in 2010. | ||||||||||
| Species Group: | Vascular Plant | ||||||||||
| Species Code: | ACTAELA1 | ||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Conservation Status / Legal Designation | |||||||||||
| Global Status: | G4T4 (Sep 2015) | ||||||||||
| Provincial Status: | S1S2 (Apr 2019) | ||||||||||
| BC List: | Red | ||||||||||
| Provincial FRPA list: | Y (May 2004) | ||||||||||
| Provincial Wildlife Act: | |||||||||||
| COSEWIC Status: | Endangered (May 2018) | ||||||||||
| SARA Schedule: | 1 - Endangered (Jun 2003) | ||||||||||
| General Status Canada: | 1 - At Risk (2010) | ||||||||||
| Ecology & Life History | |||||||||||
| General Description: | |||||||||||
| Technical Description: | |||||||||||
| Subspecies Comments: | None. | ||||||||||
| Identification Comments: | Actaea elata is a 1-2 m tall herbaceous perennial understorey plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that is readily recognizable when in flower because of its large spray of white flowers and maple-like leaves (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). The leaves are usually 3-lobed, but can be 5 or 7-lobed, and are serrate or dentate, hairy above and smooth below (Penny and Douglas 2000). The large spray of flowers is a simple to compound raceme with 50 to 90 white flowers, lacking petals (Penny and Douglas 2000). The fruits are follicles that each contain 10 +/- red to purple-brown heavy seeds (Penny and Douglas 2000). | ||||||||||
| Similar Species: | Smaller non-flowering plants can be confused with baneberry (Actaea rubra), and the small semi-dormant plants reported by Kaye (pers. comm. 2003) can be difficult to spot (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). However, when in flower, this large plant with its white spray of flowers is readily identified. | ||||||||||
| Provincial Reproduction Comments: |
In our part of this species' range, where it occurs at its normal limits, reproduction may be more limited than elsewhere. Factors that impose limits elsewhere would be more exaggerated here, such as pollinator limitations. Dispersal agents in our region are unknown, and overall population viability has not been well studied. This species has been described as a nectarless geitonomous species with structures that allow for both selfing and out-crossing (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). However, the primary mechanism appears to be selfing, although out-crossing is not ruled out (Pellmyr 1986). Pellmyr (1986) studied two species of nectarless Actaea, including A. elata and Actaea rubifolia (a closely related eastern species) and 100% self pollination was observed for Actaea elata. In general, this species is pollinator-limited in BC with more frequent pollinator visits reported in the southern portion of its range where plants are more robust, occur at higher densities and flower more frequently (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Bumblebees, solitary bees, beetles, syrphid flies and honey bees are pollinators throughout its range, however bumblebees are the most commonly reported pollinator in BC (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Pellymr (2003, pers. comm.) has noted that the flowering period for tall bugbane coincides with the peak emergence period for bumblebees. |
||||||||||
| Provincial Ecology Comments: | Big-leaf maple is a primary habitat indicator for Actaea elata over the majority of its range, which may be tied to the higher spring light levels found under a deciduous canopy that allows rapid early season growth while moisture is abundant (Kaye 2001; Kaye and Kirkland 1994). This is a well-known habitat selection strategy developed in Actaea species of eastern North America in deciduous forests. While A. elata is not a true gap phase species, it is a species that responds to increased light with increased flowering and seed set (Alverson 1986). Kaye (pers. comm. 2003) describes it as a shade species that is reinvigorated in increased light, but may otherwise remain static for years, perhaps even decades, with individuals subsisting as small seedling-like plants with single leaves. Furthermore, Alverson (1986), suggests that old-growth forests may provide the optimal light conditions for A. elata, as they often have scattered canopy openings (due to mortality or blow-down) that allow more light to reach the understorey than is the case in more uniform second growth stands. It is also preferentially located near creeks/streams and on seepage slopes, although it is often found in the drier portions of these sites (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Fire ecology information on this species is lacking with no data on decrease or increase as a result of fire. Kaye (2003) suggests that it appears fire-tolerant. Actaea elata populations in BC are restricted to a valley with a fire cycle of 150-350 years (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Fires in this valley are expected to be large scale and catastrophic suggesting that A. elata may not be as tolerant at its northern limit. However, a large fire occurred in the area in 1938 and three A. elata locations in BC have a known fire history (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). | ||||||||||
| Habitats: (Type / Subtype / Dependence) |
Forest / Conifer Forest - Mesic (average) / Unknown
Forest / Deciduous/Broadleaf Forest / Unknown Forest / Mixed Forest (deciduous/coniferous mix) / Unknown |
||||||||||
| Provincial Habitat Comments: | In British Columbia this species appears to favour seepage slopes and benches in mature forest situations. It is found in shady, low to mid elevation moist, mixed, mature (70-150 yr. old) western red cedar-hemlock forest, commonly in Thuja plicata-Polystichum munitum-Achlys triphylla communities, in mixed Douglas-fir-Acer macrophyllum sites, and in predominantly deciduous stands (Penny and Douglas 2003). Common vascular plant associates include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Mahonia nervosa, Sambucus racemosa, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus spectabilis, Tiarella trifoliata, Tolmiea menziesii, and Asarum caudatum. Interestingly, in British Columbia, Oplopanax horridus (devil's club) is a frequent associate, occurring at seven out of nine stations (Knopp, 2003; Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Several authors have mentioned that Actaea elata requires some sub-surface water such as that provided by creeks/streams/rivers. Soils are not well known in A. elata sites in BC, but may be classified as mineral non-calcareous well-drained soils with a root depth of 20-75 cm (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003). Other reports list calcareous soils in Actaea sites. In one of the locations (Liumchen Mt), limestone influences are indicated. Actaea elata has been observed on a variety of aspects in BC. | ||||||||||
| Provincial Phenology: (1st half of month/ 2nd half of month) |
Apr: Vegetative / Vegetative
May: Vegetative / Vegetative Jun: Vegetative, Flowering / Vegetative, Flowering Jul: Vegetative, Flowering, Fruiting / Vegetative, Flowering, Fruiting Aug: Vegetative, Flowering, Fruiting / Vegetative, Fruiting Sep: Vegetative / Vegetative |
||||||||||
| Provincial Phenology Comments: | In British Columbia, tall bugbane flowers from mid to late June, through to July and early August (Penny and Douglas 2000). Seeds are produced during the summer months. Many studies on this species under cultivation have been conducted in the US, where warm and cold stratification were found to be important for germination (Klinkenberg and Klinkenberg 2003; Kaye 1995; Kaye 2000; Kaye and Cramer 2002). | ||||||||||
| Elevation (m) (min / max): | Provincial: 200 / 800 | ||||||||||
| Known Pests: | |||||||||||
| Pollen Vector: | |||||||||||
| Pollinator: | |||||||||||
| Dispersal: | |||||||||||
| Provincial Inventory | |||||||||||
| Inventory Priority: | C - Moderate | ||||||||||
| Ownership of occurrences (Known locations): | Mostly state/provincial government | ||||||||||
| Inventory Need: | Additional inventory for this species is needed because, to date, inventory has primarily occurred in close proximity to roads and has not been done in any systematic way. Inventory is needed in order to search for the small semi-dormant plants that have not yet been targetted in previous searches, and to target benches and adjacent seepage slopes. Predictive habitat maps for this species are being developed (Klinkenberg 2005). | ||||||||||
| Inventory Comments: | Based on current predictive mapping work (Klinkenberg 2005), this species appears to favour seepage slopes and benches. To date, most populations have been found along roadways where access is easiest, and which coincidentally occur on benches. The main priority for inventory for this species would be to target areas away from roads, focussing on benches, and targeting the small semi-dormant forms that may occur in more closed canopy situations. Ecological parameters would probably be different for populations that might be found away from roadways (i.e. not on benches?). The current bias in data collection influences predictive mapping, and detailed inventory may substantially alter this. | ||||||||||
| Economic Attributes | |||||||||||
| Distribution | |||||||||||
| Endemic: | N | ||||||||||
| Disjunct, more common elsewhere: | N | ||||||||||
| Peripheral, major distribution elsewhere: | Y | ||||||||||
| Authors / Contributors | |||||||||||
| Global Information Author: | |||||||||||
| Last Updated: | |||||||||||
| Provincial Information Author: | B. Klinkenberg & J.L. Penny | ||||||||||
| Last Updated: | Jun 23, 2005 | ||||||||||
| Last Literature Search: | |||||||||||
| References and Related Literature | |||||||||||
Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger, and J. Penny. 2002. Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia, 2nd ed. B.C. Conserv. Data Centre, Terrestrial Inf. Branch, Victoria. 358pp. |
|||||||||||
Kaye, T. 1995. Cimicifuga elata: some comments on its ecology and distribution. Botanical Electronic News 121. December 9, 1995. Online. Available: http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/ben/ben121.html (Accessed May 23, 2003). |
|||||||||||
Kaye, Thomas N. 2000. Population Dynamics of tall bugbane and effects of forest management. U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, U.S.D.A. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Agriculture, Plant Conservation Biology Program. |
|||||||||||
Klinkenberg, B., and R. Klinkenberg. 2003. A Recovery Strategy for Tall Bugbane (Actaea elata(Nutt.) Prantl.) in Canada. B.C. Minist. Water, Land, Air Prot. 46pp. |
|||||||||||
Klinkenberg, Brian. 2005. Landscape Modeling in Conservation Biology: Predictive Mapping of Potential Habitat for Tall Bugbane (Actaea elata) in British Columbia. Minist. of Water, Land and Air Prot., Surrey, BC. |
|||||||||||
Penny, J.L., and G.W. Douglas. 2000. Status Report on Tall Bugbane, Cimicifuga elata, in Canada. Unpubl. rep. submitted to the Comm. on the Status of Endangered Wildl. in Can. Ottawa. 22pp. |
|||||||||||
Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. Species Summary: Actaea elata var. elata. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 5, 2026).