Seasonal Wild Flowers

Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Pokeberry, Pigeon Berry

Phyolaccaceae

May to July

It is thinly scattered throughout the country, but is more common

in the South, the Southeast and East Anglia.

See the BSBI distribution map for Pokeweed

It is increasing in the wild and is naturalised waste ground and

churchyards.

It is a neophyte which comes from North America.

Pokeweed is a striking, toxic, perennial herb, growing up to 1.5m.

Flowers are white or slightly green, in spikes around 10cm long.

Fruits are claws-like and change from green to deep ruby red on

maturing.

Leaves are large and oval.

All parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine.

It is also used in evidence-based medicine. Extracts are used to

boost the immune system, and are active against flu, herpes and

leukaemia causing viruses.

Pokeweed on waste ground Dorset

Close-up of flowers on spike

Immature fruiting spikes

Close-up of immature fruits and flower

Mature fruits

Close-up of mature fruits

Leaves

Fruiting shrub in August