Phytolacca americana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- fy-toh-LAK-uh a-mer-ih-KAY-nah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pokeweed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Phytolaccaceae family that may grow 6 to 10 feet high. The leaves are bright green, fragrant when crushed and the stems are attractive reddish-purple color. The leaves are alternate with a smooth margin. White blooms first mature in early summer and continue into early fall. Can be weedy because it naturalizes in the landscape and self-seeds easily. Has a thick fleshy taproot. Dark blue-black, purple berries mature in the late summer to fall and attract birds. Tolerates rabbits.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Summer, fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Late summer, fall
Insects, Diseases or Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to mosaic virus. No known insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Phytolacca
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Phytolaccaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by songbirds, like robins, cedar-waxwings, and warblers, small mammals, raccoons, opossums, foxes, and black bears. Songbirds, mourning doves, and small mammals eat the seeds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Polkweed is moderately deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Drooping cluster of green fruit ripens to glossy dark purple-black. Displays from June to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Racemes of small, white flowers; 5 greenish white sepals look like petals May to September;
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 12" long 4"-7" broad, lance to elliptic shaped bright green leaves tapers at both ends; strong unpleasant odor when crushed
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Purple stout (up to 2" in diameter) smooth
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Historically it was a popular green served in the south. Some nurseries refuse to sell this plant because of its toxic properties.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- All parts of the plant are poisonous. Only the young spring leaves and stems can be eaten after two changes of water.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
