Actaea rubifolia, commonly known as Appalachian black cohosh or Appalachian bugbane, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family.

[1] The "bugbane" in the name refers to its flowers' unpleasant smell, which can repel insects.

[3] The plant produces flowers in the early fall from August to October,[1] and is distinctly identifiable by its large stamens and reduced white petals.

[4] The species is vulnerable to extinction; small populations exist in Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and the lower Ohio River Valley.

[3] Both Actaea rubifolia and Actaea podocarpa bear resemblance to black cohosh, which, due to its vasodilation properties, is valuable for the treatment of menopause symptoms; harvesters of black cohosh sometimes mistake A. podocarpa for black cohosh, accidentally harvesting it.