pokeweed plant

Pokeweed – Phytolacca americana

Phytolacca americana

L.Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)

MI Status

Native

Life cycle

Erect, branched tap rooted perennial.

Leaves

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

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.

Reproduction

Seeds. Often dispersed by birds.

Pokeweed plant
Pokeweed plant
Pokeweed flower
Pokeweed flower
Pokeweed fruit
Pokeweed fruit
Young pokeweed plant
Young pokeweed plant
Pokeweed seedling
Pokeweed seedling

Other Documents in this Series

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics,
  • perennial

About

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).