baneberry

[ beyn-ber-ee, -buh-ree ]

noun

, plural bane·ber·ries.

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.

baneberry

/ ˈbeɪnbərɪ /

noun

1. Also calledBritherb ChristopherUScohosh 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baneberry¹

First recorded in 1745–55; bane + berry

Example Sentences

There is baneberry, whose very name sufficiently describes its dangerous nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Even as it was, I felt myself fortunate to have seen the baneberry in one of its few native haunts.

From Project Gutenberg

I am also equally curious to know if anything eats the fruit of the red and white baneberry and the blue cohosh.

From Project Gutenberg