common pokeweed

Phytolacca americana L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Phytolacca americana is a perennial herb with big leaves, a reddish trunk and reddish stems that can grow 6-12 ft. (1.8-3.7 m).
Foliage
Leaves are large, alternately arranged, smooth, elliptical, and range from 5-20 in. (12.7-50.8 cm) in length. The underside of the leaves, the stems, and the veins are a pink color.
Flowers
Flowers have 5 white to pink rounded sepals that are 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) wide. They are produced in clusters that are 4-8 in. (10.2-20.3 cm) long. The blooming period begins in early spring and continues into early summer.
Fruit
Fruits are shiny, rounded, 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) wide, deep purple berries each containing one seed. Seeds are black, 0.13 in. (0.32 cm) wide, and lens shaped.
Ecological Threat
Phytolacca americana is native to all U.S. States except Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming. It is found in open woods, damp thickets, and roadsides. All parts of this plant are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock.

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s)
Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) August. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society.
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s)
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s)
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Seed(s)
Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Root(s) root.
Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org
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Seedling(s) with cotyledons
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) Habit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Distribution