Most likely American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), which is native to eastern North America where it’s very valuable for wildlife.
It’s a host plant for several species of moths (including the giant leopard moth), and the berries are liked by birds. The flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators, and the hollow stems dry out during the cold months to become good shelter for overwintering insects like bees. The pink/magenta color of the stems has earned it some limited use as an ornamental.
It should be noted that it’s poisonous to mammals if eaten raw, and the sap is a skin irritant. Some folks can also get contact dermatitis from touching it with bare skin, but it’s not a common reaction. It’s aggressive in disturbed areas since those are the conditions that it’s adapted to, and it’s invasive outside of its native range in places like the West Coast and Europe.
Beautiful pokeweed. When the plant is young, the leaves can be cooked and eaten. Tastes similar to spinach.
NoFleas
Mods need to moderate these ridiculous posts
rdblakely
beautiful pokeweed plant
Accomplished-Ant6188
isnt this like the 5th time this has been asked this week???
AdamLib777
Ok, I just learned pokeweed tonic is extremely healthy and beneficial. Works well in reversing arthritis and even organic cancer treatment. It detoxifies the lymphatic system, kills parasites, very anti inflammatory BUT! They can be only eaten fresh when first ripen in the spring time otherwise they need to be properly cured because the seeds inside become too toxic for the stomach. Curing them includes twice boiling them.
As long as they are crushed and processed to have seeds removed, and not consume too much at one time, you’re ok to eat them and feel like a million bucks from health ailments.
Another disclaimer is to have activated charcoal on hand as precaution in case any reactions, charcoal will neutralize any upset stomach issues.
Some people claim eat 1 berry every other day and you’re fine without going through the work of curing them and still have the benefits.
9 Comments
#itsalwayspokeweed
r/itsalwayspokeweed
Most likely American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), which is native to eastern North America where it’s very valuable for wildlife.
It’s a host plant for several species of moths (including the giant leopard moth), and the berries are liked by birds. The flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators, and the hollow stems dry out during the cold months to become good shelter for overwintering insects like bees. The pink/magenta color of the stems has earned it some limited use as an ornamental.
It should be noted that it’s poisonous to mammals if eaten raw, and the sap is a skin irritant. Some folks can also get contact dermatitis from touching it with bare skin, but it’s not a common reaction. It’s aggressive in disturbed areas since those are the conditions that it’s adapted to, and it’s invasive outside of its native range in places like the West Coast and Europe.
[Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)](https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/pokeweed.htm)
Sigh…
Beautiful pokeweed. When the plant is young, the leaves can be cooked and eaten. Tastes similar to spinach.
Mods need to moderate these ridiculous posts
beautiful pokeweed plant
isnt this like the 5th time this has been asked this week???
Ok, I just learned pokeweed tonic is extremely healthy and beneficial. Works well in reversing arthritis and even organic cancer treatment. It detoxifies the lymphatic system, kills parasites, very anti inflammatory BUT! They can be only eaten fresh when first ripen in the spring time otherwise they need to be properly cured because the seeds inside become too toxic for the stomach. Curing them includes twice boiling them.
As long as they are crushed and processed to have seeds removed, and not consume too much at one time, you’re ok to eat them and feel like a million bucks from health ailments.
Another disclaimer is to have activated charcoal on hand as precaution in case any reactions, charcoal will neutralize any upset stomach issues.
Some people claim eat 1 berry every other day and you’re fine without going through the work of curing them and still have the benefits.