Baneberry
(Actaea pachypoda)
Poisonous perennial, each 1-3 foot stem bears a compact cluster of small white flowers. However, it is the fruit that is the more colorful (and more poisonous) with red pedicels and white berries. Compound leaves have ovate, sharply toothed leaflets.
Primarily a northern species, baneberry is native to the rich woods of the North Carolina mountains and piedmont. Flowers appear in April and May, berries (also called Dolls Eyes) appear in September.
