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NAME: Pokeweed

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Phytolacca Americana / Phytolaccaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Pokeberry, Inkberry

CONDITIONS: sun/shade
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots (young only)	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:

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-pokeweed-provide-health-benefits-4587368

• https://stoneageman.com/deadly-poisonous-pokeweed-is-actually-edible-if-you-do-this

 

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