White Baneberry vs. Black Cohosh

WHITE BANEBERRY 'doll's eyes' (Actaea pachypoda) — berries deadly.

The tell: Baneberry: white berries with a black dot ('doll's eyes') on red stalks. Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa): NO white berries — dry seed follicles on tall wands. Both are Actaea; only one makes doll's eyes.

Rule: White berries with black dots — never eat.

Illustration: White baneberry vs. black cohosh