American pokeweed

The plant carries the word "poke" in its name because poke originates from the word "pakon" or "puccoon", meaning "dye plant" in the Algonquian Indian language. This refers to a type of natural dye collected from the plant. However, as it originates from the United States, its common name is american pokeweed. Phytolacca americana berries actually look like a cluster of purplish black grapes. Although the berries are poisonous, the red dye extracted from the berries is very beautiful.

In early autumn, the plant bears clusters of enticing grape-like berries that are small and round. When the berries mature, they create a flamboyant, juicy, purplish-black layer. As people tend to use its berries to create dye, it is thus called the Inkbush.

Although its berries look as delicious as grapes, they are poisonous to humans, cattle and sheep. Many animals suffer from dyskinesia or even death after eating them. Only birds (such as pigeons) can consume it to curb starvation without the worry of the poison at all. Hence, it is also named Pigeon berry.

Freedom, extreme cleansing, purging, banishing

A food source for a wide range of wildlife.

American pokeweed is a tall, herbaceous shrub with bright red stems and deep purple berries. It grows in disturbed areas and can be problematic because of its weedy growth habit and toxicity. If one chooses to use this plant ornamentally, it can be used as a border plant.