False Bugbane

Native West Coast Flowers: Late Summer Black Twinberry Fireweed Firewheel Hedge Nettle Pearly Everlasting Pipsissewa Spotted Jewelweed Western Polemonium Woodland Pinedrops Types of Flowers

Only one species of the Trautvetteria genus in the buttercup family grows in the United States. It is called False Bugbane (Trautvetteria caroliniensis) or Carolina Bugbane depending on whether it is found growing on the East or West Coast.

Rather than its having the normal five petals associated with flowers in the buttercup family, False Bugbane has flowing white stamen growing from a green center.

The plant grows in shady, moist areas near lakes, ponds and streambanks, at mid to higher elevations along the West Coast.

It is suitable as a late summer flowering garden plant, bearing in mind that as a member of the buttercup family, it could be toxic if pets ingest it. There is no definitive information on the plant's toxicity readily available.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels