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Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
by
Justin Milligan
Pokeweed,
Phytolacca
americana,
a
native to eastern United States is a lush and fast growing herb with
large leaves and colorful, toxic berries. Pokeweed is actually one of the
easier wild plants in Wildwood Park to identify. Pokeweed gets fairly large.
A mature pokeweed can grow to 10 or 12 feet tall; however, most grow to
around 3 to 6 feet. The stems are thick, tough, and unmistakably magenta.
The pokeweed bears large, thin, emerald-green leaves, which turn a bright
magenta in the fall. The plant grows clusters of small attractive white
flowers. After the flowers have bloomed they droop and develop into bunches
of deep purple, almost black berries. Inside these berries is a bright pink
juice that has been used as ink, skin paint, and a temporary dye.
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Flowers
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| Often mistaken for a weed, which is inferred through
its name, or a dangerous poisonous plant, the pokeweed is an exceptionally
beautiful plant, and was used as powerful Native American medicinal herb. In
the early 19th century, poke was used by herbal doctors, who were
alternatives to the normal physician, as a powerful lymphatic system
stimulant and also as medicine for arthritis and various skin diseases.
Today, pokeweed is still used cautiously by some herbalists to treat similar
conditions, and modern researchers are investigating the plant to determine
if it possesses any anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, or immune
stimulant properties. The plant, despite its apparent health perks, contains
saponin toxins, in particular phytolaccigenin. If consumed without proper
preparation it may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. In cases
in which a large quantity is consumed anemia, and alterations in heart rate
and respiration may occur, and, in rare cases, death. However, under normal
circumstances the symptoms usually recede within a day or two. |
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Fruits
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Written spring 2004, as a service learning
project for Dr. Gary Coté's Biology 102 class at Radford University. Copyright
Pathways for Radford. |
