Black cohosh: types and varieties

Many novice gardeners are looking for types and varieties of black cohosh with photos and names. An ornamental crop is in demand for decorating a site and controlling harmful insects. The flower is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Description of the black cohosh plant

If we consider the general description, the plant is considered herbaceous. The flower belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The scientific name cimicifuga consists of two words. Translated from Latin, they mean to drive away a bug. In ancient times, black cohosh was used to control harmful insects. A decoction of the root was used to remove bedbugs.

Important! In different sources there are other names for the plant: “black cohosh” or “snake root”.

In nature, the flower grows in the eastern United States and is widespread in the Far East, China, and Mongolia. Medicinal properties, use in landscape design, cosmetology have made the culture popular in the Russian Federation.

Looking at the photo and description of the black cohosh plant, one should note the large growth of the bush. Depending on the variety, individual species grow up to 2 m in height. The rhizome is powerful and branched, making the crop a perennial and long-lived one.

The leaf shape is openwork. The leaf blade acquires green, reddish, black and other shades, depending on the varietal characteristics. Racemose inflorescences grow 7-60 cm long. In one or three modified leaves there is a depression where another inflorescence grows with a contracting stem. The size of the flowers is small. They are all similar in shape to each other, bisexual.

Cohosh is considered a medicinal crop containing many vitamins. However, the plant is also full of toxic substances. After contact with the plant, you must wash your hands thoroughly.

Important! For the preparation of medicines, roots dug up in the fall after the appearance of ripe fruits are used.

Variety of black cohosh species

When looking for a black cohosh plant from a photo, it is important to know that each variety belongs to a specific species, and there are about 15 of them. A limited number of black cohosh are popular among gardeners.

Black cohosh (C. ramosa)

This species is characterized by strong growth. The bush grows up to 2 m high. Small flowers form long inflorescences, usually cream, snow-white, or pink. Openwork foliage is green, bronze, brown, cherry or another color, depending on the varietal characteristics. Flowering time occurs at the beginning of autumn.

Black cohosh (C. simplex)

Simple bushes grow to a maximum of 1 m in height. Small flowers are collected in small inflorescences. A peculiarity of the species is its dislike of excess moisture. If the year is rainy, black cohosh may not bloom.The most popular representative of the simple species is the Brunette variety.

Cohosh racemose (C. racemose)

The racemose species is native to North America. Tall spreading bushes grow up to 2 m, and their girth reaches 60 cm in width. Flowers on the inflorescence bloom from bottom to top. A distinctive feature is its bright aroma. Flowering begins in July and lasts until September.

Black cohosh (C. cordifolia)

Plants of this species grow up to 1.5 m high. The dissected leaves in the shape of a heart are especially decorative. This is where this species got its name. Small beige flowers form inflorescences about 30 cm long. The species has a long flowering period.

American black cohosh

The species is distributed in eastern North America. The bushes grow in height from 0.9 to 1.5 m, which depends on the variety. The foliage is dissected, dark green. Small beige flowers with a gray tint are collected in racemes. Flowering begins in mid-July and lasts no more than a month. After flowering, black cohosh seeds appear, resembling a nut.

Black cohosh

The species is distributed in the Far East, as well as throughout almost the entire territory of China. A powerful bush with a large branched root grows up to 1 m in height. The erect, bare stems have a weak edge only on top. Large foliage is divided into three parts. Small beige flowers are collected in racemes. Flowering begins in July or August, depending on the specific variety.

Black cohosh smelly

A plant with a specific unpleasant odor is used for its intended purpose to bait bedbugs. The species is distributed in Siberia and Mongolia. Bushes, depending on growing conditions, grow from 1 to 2 m in height. The erect stems are covered with dense pubescence.Large trifoliate leaves are collected in pairs. Small flowers form paniculate inflorescences. Flowering begins in July.

Japanese black cohosh

The geographical habitat of the species is Japan. The bushes grow from 1.5 to 2 m in height. The foliage is dark green, the leaf blade size is medium. Small beige or silver flowers form racemes.

Popular varieties of black cohosh

When reviewing photos, types and varieties of black cohosh, the gardener should pay attention to common plants in the region. They are the easiest to grow due to their adaptability to the climate and the availability of planting material.

Black cohosh Pink Spike

The variety can boast of its decorative properties. The unusually beautiful Pink Spike black cohosh becomes attractive in early spring. Openwork wide foliage of dark purple color is resistant to early spring frosts. The bushes grow powerful, 2 m high, up to 60 cm wide. Small white-pink flowers form candle-shaped inflorescences up to 40 cm long. Flowering lasts from August to September. In October, small, elongated seeds appear. The winter hardiness of the variety is high.

The branched black cohosh Pink Spike grows in shade or partial shade. The plant does not tolerate direct exposure to the sun. The soil is preferably fertile and moist, but excess water can destroy the crop.

Cohosh is often grown to decorate the garden. Bushes are planted singly or in groups. The flower is beautiful in bouquets. Less commonly, the variety is in demand for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

Attention! Pink Spike does not tolerate the transplant well. Before wintering, the bush is completely cut off from the ground.

Black Cohosh Black Negligee

When reviewing photo varieties of black cohosh, a novice gardener should opt for Black Neglige.The culture is practically undemanding, but can decorate a garden or yard. Black cohosh Black Negligee grows 1.5 m high and 60 cm wide. However, the bush retains its compactness.

The plant is attractive with its carved leaves. In spring, platinum leaves turn brown with a brown tint. Small white-pink flowers are collected in long inflorescences. Flowering begins in August and ends in September. The variety is frost-resistant, suitable for cultivation in almost all regions of the Russian Federation.

The planting location is chosen in partial shade or open space. Planted in groups, or individually in flower beds. The soil needs to be nutritious with average moisture. The variety is grown more for decorative decoration of the site and is used in landscape design.

Black cohosh atropurpurea

The variety begins to bloom at the end of summer. Duration of the period from August to the end of September. The black cohosh bush atropurpurea is erect. The stems stretch up to 1.5 m long. The width of the bush reaches 60 cm. It can be propagated by dividing the bush, but not more than once every five years. The leaves are large, heavily lacy, with a jagged edge along the edges. The leaf blade is matte; in summer the color is green, and closer to autumn it is purple with a hint of bronze.

In the photo, black cohosh atropurpurea looks beautiful thanks to the snow-white candles. There are no leaves on the peduncle. Small flowers are grouped in a raceme up to 40 cm in length. By the time they finish flowering, they acquire a pink tint. The seeds ripen in October. The grains are small, oblong in shape. The variety is considered winter-hardy.

When considering the description of black cohosh atropurpurea, it is worth dwelling on the growing conditions. The variety is shade-tolerant. You can plant it in partial shade, but in constant sun the plant will die.The soil is acceptable fertile with average moisture. Oversaturation with water is unacceptable. Cohosh is planted in groups or individually to decorate the landscape. Flowers are suitable for making bouquets. For the winter, the bush is cut off near the ground. The variety is difficult to transplant.

Black cohosh ramosa

The black cohosh variety Ramosa has a branching stem. The bush is tall. The stems stretch up to 2 m in height. The girth of the bush is up to 60 cm wide. The main root is powerful, long, with many branches on the sides. Small snow-white flowers form long inflorescences resembling ears of corn. Blooms later from September to October.

Black cohosh carbonella

The winter-hardy plant black cohosh can withstand frosts down to -29 OC. The variety adapts well to sunny areas or partial shade. The decorative crop blooms with white and pink flowers collected in long candles. The color of the leaf blade resembles a mixture of greenery and bronze. The flowering period lasts from August to September. Black cohosh grows on fertile, loose soil and loves moderate moisture.

Black cohosh cordifolia

The variety is considered long-lived. In one place, an ornamental crop can live up to 25 years. In reality and in the photo, the black cohosh flower resembles a bride. The whiteness of the candles hurts the eyes. Despite its delicate appearance, the culture is unpretentious. The bushes survive inclement summers and tolerate harsh winters well. Choose a shady place for planting. In addition to decorating the site, flowers are in demand for creating bouquets.

Black cohosh chocoholic

The variety is decorative from the moment it blooms in the flower garden in spring. Even the lush foliage of the plant attracts attention. In the photo, black cohosh shows off long white and pink inflorescences about 20 cm long. The leaves are large, carved in shape. The color of the leaf blade is dark with a slight silvery tint.In early spring, during return frosts, the foliage does not freeze. Bushes of medium height. The stems grow about 1.2 m. The width of the bush is 60 cm. Flowering lasts from August to September. Winter hardiness is high.

The variety is shade-loving and adapts well to partial shade. Black cohosh does not tolerate the sun well. The soil is suitable fertile, loose, moderately moist. Oversaturation with water is dangerous. For the winter, the bushes are cut at the root. The main direction of the variety is decorative decoration of the landscape. The flower is suitable for creating bouquets. The plant is used for medicine and cosmetic purposes.

Black cohosh White Pearl

The White Pearl variety is a branched variety. The plant perfectly combines light green foliage with huge white inflorescences. The ornamental crop loves partial shade or shade, and survives in the sun if the summer is not hot. The soil is preferably light, fertile, moist, but not heavily flooded with water.

The bush has powerful stems and branched roots. The leaves are large, especially at the base of the root. Racemose inflorescences are located on the stem in groups of several pieces. The variety is used to decorate areas. Flowers are made into bouquets and planted in groups or individually in a flower bed.

Black Cohosh Hillside Black Beauty

The variety is considered medium-sized. The bushes grow up to 1.5 m high. Cimicifuga Hillside Black Beauty is characterized by beautiful carved black-purple leaves. The variety is considered the darkest among black cohosh. The inflorescences are long, pale pink. An adult bush flaunts lush shapes, the leaves create a lace pattern.

How to choose the right variety

The choice of variety begins with determining the appropriate species. Characteristic features are taken into account: frost resistance, soil quality, shade tolerance or love for plenty of light, bush size.If black cohosh is chosen for single planting, preference is given to powerful bushes with a height of 1 to 2 m. The borders are decorated with low-growing plants with a height of 40 cm or more. If the variety easily tolerates moisture, the bushes can be planted near a pond in the yard.

Black cohosh plantings are often combined with thujas. If the crop will grow with other ornamental plants, they should all be adapted to the same growing conditions.

You can learn more about black cohosh from the video:

Conclusion

Types and varieties of black cohosh with photos and names will help gardeners make their choice. If you want to grow a special species, you need to find out whether it will take root in a given area.

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