# American pokeweed (*Phytolacca americana*) American pokeweed is a tall plant with big green leaves and purple berries. It grows in sunny areas and can be found in gardens and fields. Be careful, though, as the berries can be harmful if eaten! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Snaps:** 177 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![American pokeweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pokeberries.png&width=800) Photo: Huw Williams ( Huwmanbeing ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pokeberries.png) ## Appearance The American pokeweed is a tall, stout plant with large, oval green leaves and sturdy, often reddish stems. Its small white-to-greenish flowers mature into distinctive drooping clusters of shiny, dark purple-black berries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Phytolaccaceae - **Genus:** Phytolacca ## Interesting facts - Its vibrant purple berries were once used to make ink and dye for fabric! - The name "pokeweed" comes from an Algonquin word meaning "blood," for its red berry juice. - Though poisonous to humans, many birds can safely eat its berries without getting sick! - Young pokeweed shoots are sometimes cooked, but only after boiling repeatedly to remove toxins. ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** American pokeweed produces toxins that deter most animals from eating its leaves and roots, helping it survive. - **Seed-Spreading Feast:** Its berries provide a safe, tasty meal for many birds, who then help spread its seeds far and wide! - **Regrowth Power:** American pokeweed regrows quickly from its deep, thick taproot after being cut, making it very resilient. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer-Fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar from its small flowers. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Consumes its ripe berries and disperses seeds. - **Eats:** Tobacco hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Feeds on pokeweed leaves, showing toxin tolerance. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Do not eat any part of the pokeweed plant, as it can be very harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American pokeweed? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is American pokeweed? 100-300 cm ### How wide does American pokeweed spread? 100-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on American pokeweed? 0.5-1 cm ### When does American pokeweed bloom? Summer-Fall ### Is American pokeweed edible? No ### Is American pokeweed toxic? High ### What is American pokeweed's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Anderson University](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-university) — South Carolina, US · Campus - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District [View all places to see American pokeweed](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-pokeweed) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [American pokeweed: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-pokeweed)