Actaea elata, commonly known as Tall Bugbane, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial native to moist, shaded forest understories and streambanks in the Pacific Northwest of North America, particularly in areas associated with Douglas fir and bigleaf maple. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and is characterized by its deeply lobed, toothed leaflets and small, numerous white or pink-tinged flowers that are arranged in elongated, showy spikes during the summer months. The flowers emit a strong, pungent odor that attracts a variety of pollinators.

Tall Bugbane is valued for its architectural height and the textural contrast it provides in shaded garden settings. It is often used in woodland gardens, naturalized areas, and as a background plant in shaded borders. This plant prefers consistently moist, humus-rich soil and partial to full shade. While it is relatively low maintenance, it requires adequate moisture to thrive and may need staking in windy sites. Tall Bugbane is generally disease-resistant but can be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew in overly humid conditions. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for most garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0