Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana

Family: Phytolaccaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to 4 m tall. The root is thick and cone shaped. The stems are erect. The leaf stalk is 1-4 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 9-18 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped and it tapers to a short tip. The flower racemes can be at the end of branches or on the side. They are 5-20 cm long. The flowers are white and slightly red. The fruiting stalk hangs down. The fruit is a berry which is oblong and purple black when mature. The seeds are kidney shaped and 3 mm across.

There are 25 Phytolacca species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It is cultivated in China. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Central America, China, Cuba, Eswatini, Europe, Georgia, Hungary, India, Indochina, Korea, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Myanmar, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young shoots and tender tops are boiled to make "poke salad". They can be pickled. CAUTION: The root is poisonous. The seeds are also toxic. The flesh of the fruit is eaten or used for food colouring. It is often made into juice.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, stem, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Alkormos, Bledo, Capa-rosa, Chui xu shang lu, Gorget, Inkberry, Jabonera, Kusuzumu, Navadna barvilnica, Pigeon berry, Pocan, Poke, Pokeberry, Pokeroot, Red Ink Plant, Scoke, Sekerciboyast, Skoke, Thuongluc my, Uva-macaco

Synonyms

Phytolacca decandra L.;