Actaea racemosa, commonly known as black cohosh, is a tall, stately herbaceous perennial that typically grows between about 3 and 6 feet in height, though in rich woodland conditions its flowering stalks can occasionally reach up to 7 or even 8 feet tall, with an overall spread of roughly 2 to 4 feet as the plant forms a broad, bushy clump. The basal and lower leaves are large and compound, often measuring 12 to 36 inches long and 12 to 24 inches wide, divided into sharply toothed leaflets that are usually 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 3 inches across, giving the foliage a lacy yet bold texture. From the center of the plant rise slender, wand-like flowering stems that can extend 2 to 4 feet above the foliage, each topped with elongated racemes typically 6 to 24 inches in length and about 1 to 2 inches in diameter, densely packed with tiny white flowers whose prominent stamens create a bottlebrush effect. Individual flower stalks are generally about 1/4 inch thick but quite rigid, allowing them to remain upright despite their height. The plant’s root system consists of a thick, knobby rhizome that may measure several inches long and 1 to 2 inches thick, with fibrous roots extending outward to anchor the plant and support its substantial top growth, while mature clumps can gradually expand to occupy a footprint several feet across over time.