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southern pokeweed

Scientific Name: Phytolacca bogotensis

Family: Phytolaccaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Pokeweed: A Plant with a Rich History

Pokeweed, a robust perennial, has a fascinating history, particularly in the Southern United States. While sometimes considered a weed, it has also been a source of food and cultural significance for generations.

Considerations for Pets

  • Pokeweed is mentioned as poisonous to animals.
  • The plant produces berries.

Considerations for Children

  • Pokeweed berries produce a red dye that may be attractive to children.
  • Pokeweed is mentioned as poisonous to humans.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Phytolacca americana (American Pokeweed)
  • Common Names: Pokeweed, Poke, Pokeberry, Pigeonberry, Inkberry, Bear's Grape, Cancer Root, Polk Salad, Poke Sallet

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Phytolacca
  • Family: Phytolaccaceae (pokeweed family)
  • Species: Phytolacca bogotensis Kunth (Southern Pokeweed)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America, South America, East Asia, and New Zealand.
  • Common in the American South.
  • Found in meadows, edges of woods, and waste areas.
  • Can be an invasive weed in southern California gardens.
  • Also found from Maine to Minnesota and southward, common in southern and southeastern Iowa.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Herbaceous perennial, growing 3 to 10 feet (0.9 to 3 m) tall.
  • Possesses a large, fleshy taproot that can grow 1 foot (30 cm) deep.

Ecological Role

  • Can become a very invasive weed in some areas, such as southern California gardens.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The southern armyworm feeds on pokeweed.

Quirky Facts

  • Pokeweed is associated with an old song "Poke Salad Annie" and is the subject of poke sallet festivals.
  • Historically, Native Americans used pokeweed for food, medicine, dye, and to paint their horses.
  • Poke salad was once sold as a canned vegetable in the southern US.

Historical and Traditional Uses

  • Historically used by Native Americans for food, medicine, dye, and to paint their horses.
  • Young poke greens are used in poke salad, a traditional Southern dish. It's important to note that this preparation involves boiling the greens, usually multiple times.

Further Information

  • Plants of the Southeast By John Nelson, curator of the A. C. Moore University of South Carolina.
  • EattheWeeds.com