American pokeweed Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed

ABOUT

P. americana is an upright herbaceous perennial with oval or lance-shaped mid-green leaves, tinged with purple in autumn. White-pink flowers appear in racemes from mid-summer to early autumn, followed by crimson-black berries in autumn

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Phytolaccaceae

    • Synonyms

      American pokeweed American nightshade cancer jalap chon grass coakum cokan crimson-berry plant crowberry dyer's grapes garget inkberry pigeon berry poke pokeberry poke root poke salad pokeweed red ink plant red weed scoke skoke Virginian poke Virginian pokeweed see more

    • Common names

      Phytolacca decandra

  • skullToxicity

    Contact with the sap may irritate skin, all parts may cause a severe reaction if ingested, and the fruit is highly toxic. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Height

      2.5-4 metres

    • Spread

      1-1.5 metres

    • Hardiness zones

      H7

  • sunLight

    Full Sun, Partial Shade

  • scissorsPruning

    No pruning required

  • bambooSoil

    Loam, SoilClay

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Hardiness zone

      Cottage & Informal Garden

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propagate by seed in early spring

  • insectPests

    Generally pest-free

  • microbeDiseases

    May be prone to virus diseases