Inkberry, Dye berry
Phytolacca octandra
Family: Phytolaccaceae
What it is like
An erect herb. It grows 2 m high. It has a well developed taproot. The stems are spreading and branching. They are red coloured. The leaves are bright green and 20 cm long. The leaves change from bright green to reddish-purple in autumn. The flowers are pale green or white. They occur close together in upright spikes. The flowers have 8 stamens. The fruit are green berries which become deep purplish-black. Their juice is red-purple.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It does best in a warm climate. In tropical Queensland it grows from 160-1500 m altitude. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,550-2,100 m above sea level. It often grows along the edges of forests.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Guiana, Jamaica, Mexico, Mozambique, Norfolk Island, North America, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Swaziland, Tasmania, USA, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
CAUTION: It needs to be used when young. It becomes poisonous with age. The juice of the berries is used to dye wine. The fruit are also eaten as a snack. The stems and leaves are used as a vegetable.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is an important young leaf amongst some American Indians and is canned.
Edible parts
Leaves, shoots, vegetable, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Calalu, Muinki, Red Ink Plant, Thebe, Verbachina, Vowa