Actaea pachypoda

Baneberry - White Doll's Eyes

White Baneberry is also called 'Doll's Eyes' because the small white berries end in a black dot making this native (and toxic) fruit resemble the staring eyes of old fashioned dolls. The delicate white flower spikes appear above Astilbe-like foliage in spring, followed by the striking white fruit in summer. The flowers provide pollen but lack nectar. The pollen is collected by short-tongued bees. The berries are eaten by a variety of birds, thereby spreading the seed to other areas. The birds are immune to the toxic effects of the berries. All parts of this plant are poisonous. Actaea pachypoda naturalizes easily in moist but well-drained woodlands.