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  pokeshoots_marieviljoen_gardenista   File:Phytolacca americana full plant.JPG  File:Gartenpflanze 2007.jpg Mature Pokeweed.jpg Å?ekerciboyası (Phytolacca americana).jpg

 

NAME: Pokeweed

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Phytolacca Americana / Phytolaccaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Pokeberry, Inkberry

CONDITIONS: sun/shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLEcid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots (young only)

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520 green&tender

asparagus

BOIL TWICE

Spring

Leaves

       

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

 

 

 

 

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small-medium

 

COMMENT:  Abundant plant, but must use with care. Very nutritious, tastes like asparagus. Young green shoots must be boiled twice with new water each time.//   According to Samuel Thayer, young shoots should be green and tender, but not necessessarily less than 7” tall. In fact, very young and short shoots can be red, which is not what you want. // The Green Dean recommends boiling the leaves twice. First time one minute. Then change the water and boil for another 15 minutes." (2) 
 

CAUTION: All parts can be poisonous. Do not use if shoot is red. // Root and seeds are always poisonous. Some people are sensitive to handling the entire plant, so they should wear gloves.  Avoid if pregnant. (1) (2) For more cautions:

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  “Alterative;  Anodyne;  Anti-inflammatory;  Antirheumatic;  Antiviral;  Cancer;  Cathartic;  Expectorant; Homeopathy;  Hypnotic;  Narcotic;  Purgative. Pokeweed has a long history of medicinal use, being employed traditionally in the treatment of diseases related to a compromised immune system.” (1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: “Ink;  Insecticide;  Soap. A red ink and a dye are obtained from the fruit. A beautiful colour, though it is not very permanent. It makes a good body paint, washing off easily when no longer required, though the slightly toxic nature of the berries should be remembered. The rootstock is rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. Cut the root into small pieces and simmer it in boiling water to obtain the soap. The plant is currently (1980) being evaluated for its snail-killing properties.”(1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phytolacca+americana
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/can-be-deadly-but-oh-so-delicious-pokeweed-2
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytolacca_americana
  4. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2006/04/pokeweedpoke-salat.html (good photos)
  5. http://foragedfoodie.blogspot.com/2017/03/burdock-and-pokeweed-fritters.html (recipes)
  6. https://www.gardenista.com/posts/weeds-you-can-eat-pokeweed
  7. https://www.wildernessarena.com/food-water-shelter/food-food-water-shelter/food-procurement/edible-wild-plants/pokeweed
  8. https://www.wildabundance.net/blog/pokeweed
  9. https://thegrownetwork.com/pokeweed-berries
  10. https://www.timesmojo.com/what-happens-if-you-eat-pokeweed-berries