Sweet belladonna, Indian pokeweed
Phytolacca acinosa

Family: Phytolaccaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is soft and juicy. It grows 1.5 m tall. The roots are thick and fleshy. The stems have grooves along them. They can be green or red-purple. The leaves have stalks. These are 1.5-3 cm long. The leaves are 12-26 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. They are oval and narrowed towards the leaf stalk. The flowers have stalks. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is a berry which is 7 mm across and purplish black when mature.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 2200-3200 m altitude. It grows in the shade of forest trees. It grows in wetlands. In China it grows in valleys in forest understories in moist fertile lands from 500-3400 m altitude. It grows in Yunnan. It occurs in Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Europe, France, Germany, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mediterranean, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a green vegetable. They are cooked twice changing the water in between. They are used in curries. They are also used in stir fries. CAUTION: The root is toxic. The fruit are poisonous. The root is sliced then boiled and soaked in changes of water and steamed before eating. The fruit are occasionally used as a flavouring.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Azijska barvilnica, Gekha, Indian pokeberry, Jaiong, Jalga, Jarag, Jarak, Jaringe sag, Jaringo, Jariongo sag, Jarka, Jarko, Jharka, Jirrag, Kafal, Kanbo, Lubar sag, Matazor, Mye-mye-gang-pu-mon,Narail, Ni zhuo mo, Olita,Poke root, Rinsag, Sarangum, Sarangun, Shang lu, Tashi gangkha, Tuoqiong

Synonyms

Phytolacca esculenta Van Houtte; Phytolacca pekinensis Hance; Pircunia latbenia Moqu.-Tan.; Phytolacca latbenia (Moq.-Tan.) H.Walter; Rivina latbenia Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.;