American pokeweed (EwA Guide to the Plants of the Fells (US))

American pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Summary ⁸

Phytolacca americana, the American pokeweed or simply pokeweed, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae growing up to 8 feet (2 meters) in height. It is native to the eastern United States and has significant toxicity.

Comments ⁹

This unusual plant has a striking appearance when mature because of the bright reddish purple coloration of the stems. It is possibly a sign to migrating birds that the berries are ripe. The individual flowers are also attractive when they are viewed up-close. However, Pokeweed is usually dismissed as a mere weed, even though the berries have considerable ecological value to many songbirds. The purple juice of the berries has been used as a food coloring. Pioneers used the young leaves as a potherb and the roots for medicinal purposes, but neither of these practices can be recommended. Return

Sources and Credits

(c) Gerhard Elsner, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Phytolacca-americana-berries.JPG
(c) AnneTanne, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/78746377@N00/504524112
(c) Bob Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7185050481_e28d0a3204_o.jpg
(c) Michael Gras, M.Ed., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Gras, M.Ed., http://www.flickr.com/photos/39958775@N08/6973929077
(c) Dwayne Estes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Dwayne Estes
(c) tsc_wis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Nicole, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nicole
(c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytolacca_americana
(c) John Hilty, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/29447323

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

Flower color	white
Flowering season	summer

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