Cimicifuga
(from cimex, a bug, and fugo, to drive away; indicating certain virtues which the plants--particularly C. elata--possess). Bugwort. ORD. Ranunculaceae. Ornamental hardy herbaceous perennials, allied to Actaea. They are of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. A somewhat moist and shady situation is preferable. All are easily propagated by division, in spring; or by seeds, sown in a cold frame as soon as ripe.
C. americana (American).* fl. whitish; racemes panicled. August and September. l. tripinnate. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Carolina, 1824.
C. cordifolia (heart-shaped-leaved). fl. whitish; racemes panicled. July and August. l. biternate; leaflets four or five-lobed, serrated, cordate at the base. h. 2ft. to 3ft. North America, 1812. (B. M. 2069.) C. elata (tall). fl. whitish; racemes panicled. June and July. l. ternate or biternate; leaflets ovate-oblong, deeply toothed. h. 2ft. Eastern Siberia, North America, &c., 1777. A foetid herb, used in Siberia for driving away bugs. SYN. C. foetida.
C. foetida (foetid). A synonym of C. elata.
C. japonica (Japanese).* fl. white, sessile; spikes very long. l. large, ternate, with five or seven-lobed cordate segments. h. 3ft. Japan, 1879. C. palmata (palmate). A synonym of Trautvetteria palmata. C. racemosa (racemose).* fl. white; racemes compound, very long. July and August. l. triternate, with serrated or, rather, cut leaflets. h. 3ft. to 5ft. North America, 1732. This species resembles Actaea spicata, but is much larger. SYN. Actaea racemosa and C. serpentaria. (R. G. 443.) C. serpentaria (snake-like). A synonym of C. racemosa.