Perennial to 1.5 m from a stout rhizome, sometimes overwintering 1-5 dm above the ground, sharply bristly near the base; lvs few, on petioles usually shorter than the blade, bipinnate; lfls oblong to ovate or lanceolate, to 10 cm, acute or short-acuminate, sharply serrate; umbels several in a loose, open, terminal infl; styles connate half-length; fr globose, nearly black; 2n=24. Dry woods, especially in sandy or sterile soil; Nf. and Que. to Hudson Bay and Minn., s. to N.J., W.Va., and n. Ind. June, July.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
In fine, sandy soil at the bases of wooded dunes and in sandy, burned-over areas. Rare.
Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 10
Wetland Indicator Status: n/a
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Diagnostic Traits: Herbaceous, stems prickly near base and bearing alternate, bipinnately compound leaves; inflorescences racemose, mostly with 5 to 25 umbels; fruits purple-black drupes.