White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) vs. Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra)

These species are frequently confused, especially in the rare cases when A. rubra has white fruit or A. pachypoda has red fruit, or when fruit is not present. They can be easily distinguished by fruit pedicels, and they also have average differences in pubescence on leaf undersides, pistil dimensions, petal shape, and inflorescence shape. Where their ranges overlap, A. pachypoda ranges much farther south, is more limited to deciduous forests, and prefers near-neutral loamy soil. A. rubra ranges much farther west and into mixed (conifer-deciduous) forest, prefers slightly more acidic soil, and is more tolerant of sand or clay in the soil. These species can hybridize to form Louis's baneberry (Actaea ×ludovicii), so ambiguous individuals may be hybrids.

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