White and Red Baneberry Fruits Maturing

The berries of both White and Red Baneberry are the most poisonous part of their respective plants – but all parts of both plants are toxic and can cause respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest if consumed.  Animals other than humans do eat them, however, including a wide variety of birds as well as small mammals such as mice, squirrels and vole, with most fruits disappearing at night.  White-tailed Deer are known to browse both plants.

Native Americans and colonists used both species of Baneberry to treat rattlesnake bites. According to Carol Gracie in Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast, Native Americans had a plethora of uses for the Red Baneberry fruits, including treatment for menstrual problems, syphilis, increasing milk flow and as a gargle.  At the same time, juice from the fruits was said to have been used as a poison on arrows.  (Photo:  White Baneberry (“Doll’s Eyes”) fruits)

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