Pokeweed

June 12, 2015

Phytolacca americana L. Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)

Life cycle

Erect, branched taprooted perennial.

pokeweed plant young pokeweed plant
Pokeweed plant (left) and young pokeweed plant (right).

Leaves

Alternate, hairless, broadly oval, lance- to egg-shaped with smooth to slightly wavy leaf margins.

poke
Pokeweed seedling.

Stems

Smooth, succulent, herbaceous, predominantly reddish and branched multiple times without a central stem, reaching up to 9 feet in height.

Flowers and fruit

Greenish white to pink flowers yield erect to nodding, hanging clusters of conspicuous, deep purple to black berries when mature. Berries are poisonous, and berry juice will easily stain.

mature pokeweed berries
Mature pokeweed berries.

Reproduction

Seeds. Often dispersed by birds.

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