Unintentional wild-harvesting of black cohosh look-alikes causes safety and conservation concerns in Appalachia

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is an understory herbaceous plant primarily wild-harvested as a non-timber forest product throughout Appalachia. Unfortunately, many species look very similar and may be unintentionally harvested. The lack of incentives for ensuring proper identification at the levels of buyers and distributors contributes to the decline of these species and endangers the public. Appalachian bugbane (A. rubifolia), which is distinguished by minor floristic characteristics, has a global conservation status as vulnerable (G3), is extirpated from AL, imperiled in KY and VA, and vulnerable in TN. Mountain bugbane (A. podocarpa) is listed as critically imperiled (S2) or vulnerable (S3) in four of the nine Appalachian states within its range (PA, WV, GA, & MD). The unintentionally harvested species doll’s-eyes (A. pachypoda) has limited conservation concerns but is a danger to public health due to toxicity. We developed comparative outreach materials for herb diggers, lay botanists, and the general public that differentiate black cohosh from similar-looking related species. Our project simplifies botanical terms and uses observation techniques that describes morphological differences using non-technical language. Providing information about the complexity of the identification of this species allows for protection of rare, threatened, and endangered species. An additional benefit for both the subordinate taxa, herb-identifiers, and the general public is increased consumer protection from contamination. The most effective way to ensure reduce contamination with other species of herbal supplements is in the propagation instead of wild-collection of these species. In addition, the general public should purchase black cohosh from cultivated reputable sources.