Pokeweeds

Ombú (Phytolacca dioica) is a deciduous tree that will grow from 12 to 18 m tall. Blooms from summer to fall with small white flowers. Yellow fruits ripen in fall after flowers finish blooming. It is a fast growing tree with soft, spongy wood that makes it a good choice for bonsai growing because the wood is very easy to shape and train.

The chinese pokeweed (Phytolacca polyandra) are small group of flowering herbs, shrubs, and trees. Most chinese pokeweeds are generally toxic if ingested raw. One notable species of pokeweed, the Ombu (P. dioica) is often associated with Gaucho culture – being one of the only sizable trees on the South American pampas, these plants provided shelter and were used as landmarks by horsemen.

Phytolacca japonica is a species of flowering plant in the pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae). It native to eastern Asia where it is found in China and Japan (from the Kantō region westward). Its natural habitat is in forests edges in ravines and along riversides. Phytolacca japonica is an herbaceous perennial growing to 1.5 meters tall. Its stem is thick and fleshy and turns red with age. It produces erect racemes of flowers that are initially pale pink turning reddish with maturity. Flowering time is from summer to fall. Its ripe fruits are purplish-black. It can be distinguished from the similar-looking Phytolacca acinosa by its fused carpels and from Phytolacca americana by its more dense and erect inflorescence.

Although its berries look juicy and tempting, the fruits and the root of american pokeweed are toxic and should not be eaten. American pokeweed is considered a pest species by farmers but is nevertheless often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries can be made into pokeberry ink as well.

Indian poke (Phytolacca acinosa) is a perennial shrub with deep red or purple berries. The genus name for this species comes from a Greek word for “plant” and a Latin word that means “dye,” and a look at the berries makes the reason obvious. Its mature leaves and stalks are poisonous.

Tropical Pokeweed (Phytolacca icosandra) grows up to 3 m tall. It produces a flower stalk full of white to pink blossoms from summer to winter. Black berries follow blooming. This plant is considered invasive in the United States.

The venezuelan pokeweed (Phytolacca rivinoides) are small group of flowering herbs, shrubs, and trees. Most venezuelan pokeweeds are generally toxic if ingested raw. One notable species of pokeweed, the Ombu (P. dioica) is often associated with Gaucho culture – being one of the only sizable trees on the South American pampas, these plants provided shelter and were used as landmarks by horsemen.

The southern pokeweed (Phytolacca bogotensis) are small group of flowering herbs, shrubs, and trees. Most southern pokeweeds are generally toxic if ingested raw. One notable species of pokeweed, the Ombu (P. dioica) is often associated with Gaucho culture – being one of the only sizable trees on the South American pampas, these plants provided shelter and were used as landmarks by horsemen.