October 31, 2009
Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana
This pokeweed grows close to Little Fresh Pond. One can find pokeweed growing in damp areas such as moist fields and adjacent to streams, rivulets, and ponds. The vivid contrast of the purple-black berries against the reddish stems is definitely a sight worth seeing. The juice of the berries was used as a dye by colonists. The plant is toxic with the roots being the most poisonous. Leaves and stems have less levels of toxicity, but toxicity increases with maturity. Although young shoots can be eaten if boiled several times in changed water, this is not recommended. Cases of poisoning have occurred when people have eaten improperly prepared shoots, especially when part of the root was harvested with the shoot.
Photo and Description by Carol Collura