''Cimicifuga'' (bugbane or cohosh) was a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of between 12 and 18

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriat ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants t ...

s belonging to the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae (buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants in 43 genera, distributed worldwide. The largest genera are ''Ranunculus'' (600 species), ''Delphinium' ...

, native to

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout ...

regions of the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

. The genus is now generally included in '' Actaea''. The name ''Cimicifuga'' means '

bedbug Bed bugs are insects from the genus ''Cimex'' that feed on blood, usually at night. Their bites can result in a number of health impacts including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. Bed bug bites may lead to skin changes ...

repeller'.

Selected species

*'' Cimicifuga americana'' *'' Cimicifuga arizonica'' *'' Cimicifuga biternata'' *'' Cimicifuga brachycarpa'' *'' Cimicifuga dahurica'' - ''Sheng ma'' in Chinese () *'' Cimicifuga elata'' *'' Cimicifuga europaea'' *'' Cimicifuga foetida'' *'' Cimicifuga heracleifolia'' - both used in TCM as ''Sheng ma'' in Chinese () *'' Cimicifuga japonica'' *'' Cimicifuga laciniata'' *'' Cimicifuga nanchuanensis'' *''

Cimicifuga racemosa ''Actaea racemosa'', the black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, or fairy candle ( syn. ''Cimicifuga racemosa''), is a species of flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to eastern North America from the extrem ...

'' *'' Cimicifuga rubifolia'' *'' Cimicifuga simplex'' *'' Cimicifuga yunnanensis''

In pharmacology

*'' Cimicifugae rhizoma'' - pharmacological term in herbal medicine (Cimicifuga/Actea root), translated as ''Sheng ma'', Chinese herb

References

External links

Flora of North America: ''Cimicifuga''Flora of China: ''Cimicifuga''The Plant List: "Actaea"

Wikimedia

Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae genera Historically recognized angiosperm genera {{Ranunculales-stub