baneberry

American  

[beyn-ber-ee, -buh-ree] / ˈbeɪnˌbɛr i, -bə ri /

noun

plural

baneberries

1. any plant belonging to the genus Actaea, of the buttercup family, having large compound leaves, spikes of small white flowers, and poisonous red or white berries.

2. the berry of such a plant.

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baneberry British  

/ ˈbeɪnbərɪ /

noun

1. Also called: herb Christopher.   cohosh.  any ranunculaceous plant of the genus Actaea , esp A. spicata , which has small white flowers and red or white poisonous berries

2. a berry of any of these plants

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Etymology

Origin of baneberry

First recorded in 1745–55; bane + berry

Example Sentences

Alders and bushes peppered with clumps of bright red baneberries are thick around the shallow pool.

From New York Times

In fact, you might think you know exactly where this story is going — at least, right up to the point where Maggie drives to the house through woods swarming with sinister, spiky-leafed baneberry vines.

From New York Times

"That was the self-same preparation of baneberries he slipped into my dish of eels," and Letitia thought she heard the wind howling down from the mountain crags.

From Literature

The professor had told her about doll’s eyes, another name for the white baneberry that could cause cardiac arrest.

From Literature

As for why it grows on such a creepy blood-red stalk, that may be a holdover from its more common relative, red baneberry.

From National Geographic