Black Cohosh

Round these parts this plant is commonly referred to as rattleweed and is actually pretty abundant although in a few other states the plant is considered endangered.

The following info came from here…
NC State University

Botanical Information
Black cohosh [Actaea racemosa (L.) formerly Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt] is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. It is a native medicinal plant found in rich woodlands from as far north as Maine and Ontario, south to Georgia, and west to Missouri and Indiana. In North Carolina it can be found at elevations up to 4,000 ft and is most common in the western part of the state. It is an herbaceous perennial reaching a mature height of over four ft tall and can grow 18 to 22 inches per month during the growing season. The leaves are large with three pinnately compound divisions and irregularly toothed leaflets. Tall plumes of cream to white flowers, on wand-like flower stalks, bloom from May to July, often towering over six ft. From August to October, seeds develop in capsules that make a rattling sound when shaken. At this stage, the seeds are mature and ready to be harvested.

The black cohosh rhizomes and roots are of economic importance. The rhizome is dark brown to black in color; is thick and knobby; and produces large buds on the upper surface. The rhizomes are covered with fibrous roots which are usually concentrated on the bottom portion of the rhizome. Throughout the rest of this publication, “root” refers to the rhizome and roots unless stated otherwise. When the leaves on the plant start to die back in the fall, the root is harvested, cleaned, and usually dried.

Uses and Treatments
Native Americans used black cohosh for a variety of medical conditions ranging from gynecological problems to snake bites. Physicians made use of it in the 19th century to treat fever, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. In Europe, black cohosh has been used for over 40 years as a treatment for menstrual pain. Other traditional and folk uses were for treatment of sore throats and bronchitis. In recent years, this material has been used as an alternative to mainstream hormone replacement therapy for treatment of menopause and premenstrual syndrome. Black cohosh has been clinically proven to create an “estrogen-like” effect in the user, often reducing unpleasant menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.