The book is older, but the classification doesn't change the characteristics. So now: Cimicifuga Racemosa = Actaea racemosa Cimicifuga americana = Actaea podocarpa Cimicifuga rubifolia = Actaea rubifolia Cimicifuga foetida is a european species. On the Actaea Racemosa, it mentioned that the flower have a sweet, fetid smell. On the other hand, there is a cultivar of Actaea Racemosa call Black Negligee which supposely have a tropical fruit smell. Unfortuantely, it's often listed as Cimicifuga Racemosa Black Negligee or Cimicifuga Simplex Bllack Negligee. I am unclear on if there is a difference between simplex and racemosa. Paul

You are looking at two different species. Actaea (formerly Cimicifuga) racemosa is most likely the native bugbane you are seeing, although could also be A. americana - the two species are pretty well muddled. It blooms mid summer, generally July or August. Actaea simplex and hybrids are commonly known as autumn bugbane or snakeroot and bloom later, usually around September or October. These selections include the dark foliaged forms like 'Brunette', 'Black Negligee', 'James Compton', etc. , collectively known as the 'Atropurpurea Group'. These are sometimes sold as Cimicifuga ramosa, however that taxonomy is invalid. All in all, the taxonomy of this genus is pretty messed up when researching or tracking down specific plants :-) Selections of each are widely mislabeled in the trade. But very generally, Actaea or Cimicifuga racemosa will have early blooms, green foliage and unpleasantly scented flowers while A. or C. simplex/ramosa will have later blooms, often deep wine or burgundy foliage and honey-scented flowers. Are you confused enough now?? :-)

I haven't seen any Cimicifuga/Actaea racemosa growing under the black walnuts that grow on the land we live on, but that doesn't necessarily mean the cimicifuga isn't juglone-tolerant. The University of Missouri College of Agriculture apparently did a study on Cimicifuga/Actaea racemosa growing in proximity to black walnut trees. You could try contacting them and finding out what the results were. See the link below for a description of the study. It's listed under "Experiment 3: Evaluating the suitability of black cohosh as an understory agroforestry intercrop with black walnut" on the page linked below. Their contact info is also on that page in the column on the left. Of course, someone else that has planted cimicifuga under black walnuts, or seen it growing there may know better than I! Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: University of Missouri: Actaea racemosa

Wow, this is an 11 year old thread, and now in 2021, I still find it difficult to track down clear description and photos of the various American Mountain Bugbane. I too in the north-east have seen similar to the poster's description in a small handfull of local garden landscapes. What baffles me is no mention of ‣ the intensely enchanting sweet vanilla pefume that wafts on the wind from this wonderful bottle-brush-like cluster of flowers! BTW that enticing smell, along with the shape, is why I first thought the nik-name "fairy candles" was attributed-- but my rough research seems to state that nik-name is for it's stinkier cousin black cohash..? Well, I prefer to call the sweeter bugbane "fairy candles" as well, and so I will. Now to find out if this magical late season blooming delight can be found at a local plant nursery. If it is rare, could be tough. Or if that fails, perhaps I'll be bold and knock on the door of someone in town who has it in their garden to ask either where they got or if willing to sell cuttings..?