Description
This is known as the Blue Cohosh in its native USA. The name comes from the vivid blue of the berries and an Algonquin word, Cohosh, meaning “rough”, which refers to its gnarly rootstocks (which are highly toxic but processed for herbal use as an anthelmintic, antirheumatic, emmenagogue, diuretic, expectorant, oxytocic, relaxant and spasmolytic)!
Multi-divided leaves sit on a stout stem with a cluster of small yellow flowers in May. These are succeeded by brilliant blue berries in the summer. An elegant subject for the peat garden or a shaded spot.
Easily grown but little seen; an ideal accent plant. Associates very well with “woodsy” plants.