Actaea rubra, the red baneberry or chinaberry, is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant native to North America. After flowering green berries are produced. In mid to late summer, the berries turn bright red. The berries also have a black dot on them, and contain several seeds.

These plants grow 40 to 80 cm (16 to 31 in) tall. They are found growing in shady areas in open forest or dry slopes in much of North America.

This plant is grown in shade gardens for its attractive berries and upright clump forming habit. Native Americans have traditionally used the juice from the fruits of various baneberry species to poison arrows.

Location: Full shade

Hardiness zones: 3-8

Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.

Seeds per pack: 5

Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 5 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15C, 59F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.