Scientific Family
Phytolaccaceae
Synonyms
Phytolacca americana var. lancifolia
Other common names
poke-salad
poke-weed
common pokeweed
inkberry
pigeonberry
poke
pokeberry
pokeweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6 to 10 feet
Riparian
Yes
Tall, branching, bright green with reddish stems, smooth, juicy and ill-smelling; leaves large, roundly-narrow, 7 to 14 inches long, tapered at base and tips; elongated clusters of small, white flowers, with 5 petal-like sepals, pink to purple stems.
Tall, typically 6 to 10 feet, branching, reddish stems; leaves large, 7 to 14 inches long, thin, green on top, lighter below, tapered at both ends; flowers borne in pinkish stemmed elongated clusters, flower on short stems, white, sepals only.
Habitat
Found in disturbed areas, open woods, damp thickets, clearings.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Small, 5 petal-like red, white, or pinkish sepals; terminal clusters on short stems, spreading to drooping; appearing opposite the leaves; calyxes deeply lobed; stamens 10, generally in 1 whorl; styles and stigmas several, style edges turned upward.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Large, roundly-narrow, 7 to 14 inches long, tapered at base and tips, coarse texture.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit juicy, round berries, 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter; dark purple to black at maturity, bright red when young; 10-celled berry; stems and stalks pink to purple.
Fruit type
Berry-like
Seeds black and shiny, lens-shaped, 1/8 inch long.