Pokeweed

Pokeweed (Phytolaccaceae family):

Phytolacca americana L.

EPPO code:

PHTAM

Other names:

Inkweed, pokeberry

Species information

Lifecycle:

Perennial.

Propagation:

Reproduces by seed.

Emergence:

Germination and emergence have been observed throughout the spring, summer and fall, with fall seemingly the most common time for emergence in cultivated fields.

Habitat:

Native to Canada, pokeweed is found in meadows, at the edge of woodlots, and in fencerows and waste areas in Southern Ontario.

Competitiveness:

The juice inside pokeweed berries will stain crop seeds and reduce its quality and value.

Toxicity:

The plant is very poisonous to livestock. If consumed, pokeweed may cause vomiting, paralysis and even death.

Identification clues

Seedling

First leaves:

The leaves and stem of pokeweed are fleshy and smooth in appearance.

Mature leaves:

With an alternate leaf orientation, the lower leaves are wide, large and long, while the upper leaves are dark green and small with shorter leafstalks and pink-green veins.

Mature plant

Stem:

Erect, long (up to 3 m), smooth, hairless, “juicy-looking” and pink to bright red in colour.

Flowers:

The plant’s flowers have no petals, but five petal-like sepals that are green, white to pinkish in slender racemes or clusters at the ends of main stems and branches.

Fruit:

Pokeweed produces purplish berries that exude a crimson juice.

Roots:

Perennial taproot.

Identification tip:

Pokeweed plants are distinguished by a soft, fleshy appearance and the flat, juicy, purple berries in a spike at the ends of smooth stems.