(aka: Cimicifuga racemosa v. cordifolia, C. foetida v. cordifolia) This wonderful rare native (globally rare ranking of G3) from Virginia west to Tennessee has languished in taxonomic purgatory under a parade of invalid names. Unlike other bugbanes, there are only nine glossy leaflets per leaf, which are held on a 45 degree angled stem ending about 2' from the ground. The 4' tall, upright, branched terminal spikes end in finger-like clusters of small white flowers that top the plant in September. Although Cimicifuga rubifolia prefers alkaline soils, it has grown well in our slightly acid amended woodland soil.
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
