Phytolacca Americana (American Pokeweed)
By Bathgate
27 Sep, 2017
5 likes
If a nice-looking plant could attract scads of birds, make a great mess of greens, treat cancer, AIDS, herpes, bad breath and more, and revolutionize the solar energy industry on the side, wouldn’t you want it in your backyard?
All of these claims and more have been made for the American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). The poisonous red berries can be used for dyes, paints & to provide ink for writing - legend has it that the Declaration of Independence may have been drafted in pokeweed ink.
Comments on this photo
I honestly don't know the variety Karen. These are growing beside my neighbor's garage, behind my house, lol! I'm going to research to find out. I'll be back to you soon.
27 Sep, 2017
Thanks Bathgate...they look lovely.
28 Sep, 2017
Hi Karen: I just found out this is Pokeweed, highly poisonous and just a few berries can kill me, lol. Thanks to your inquiry, I wouldn't have known. You may have saved my life, lol!
28 Sep, 2017
OMG! ?
28 Sep, 2017
LOL
28 Sep, 2017
;)
28 Sep, 2017
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Very different to my chokeberry, which is Aronia. I know there are more than one species known as Chokeberry. Which is this one please Bathgate?
27 Sep, 2017