Pokeberries forming.
Sue Watts, ©2024 SC Botanical Garden, Clemson University

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

I have an abiding fondness for pokeweed. I love its arching structure, white flowers, and deep, black berries, especially when set off against the dark red stems. I know it spreads rather too abundantly and is toxic, but I still find it an attractive addition to my garden. This native plant belongs in our landscape; it’s found in disturbed areas, open spaces, and woodland, field and roadside edges. Many birds, including mockingbirds, cardinals, and mourning doves, spread it far and wide as they travel. Pokeberries are an essential fuel for many migratory birds as they journey south to overwinter in warmer climates. For birds that stay home, the berries sustain them through the long winter months. I love watching mockingbirds patiently stripping the richly colored berries. Small mammals, including gray foxes, squirrels and possums, eat the fruit too. Pokeweed is a host plant for the majestic giant leopard moth. The pokeweed in my garden stands about 6 feet tall and has a huge tap root. It has the potential to grow 20 feet tall! Once, I tried to dig it up and then decided to live with it instead and appreciate its beauty.

Worm eating Warblers.
Image courtesy of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

Despite its somewhat problematic attributes, this plant has been used extensively by humans as a food source, dye and medicine. Great care must be employed since it contains dangerous compounds that can severely sicken or even kill a person. The young shoots, very carefully cooked, are a popular southern dish in some areas, often called poke sallet. Pokeweed was often used as a spring tonic green since it emerged early in the season, was widely available, free and a good source of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Although eaten more widely in the past, some people still consumed pokeweed. For more information, see Southern Food Ways: What Is Poke Sallet?

Human uses of pokeweed are varied. The Algonquin word for a “bloody” plant is puccoon, which is the root of the word “poke.” The dark red-black berries were crushed and used to dye clothing, baskets and even to decorate horses. Rumors that the Declaration of Independence was written with pokeberry ink prove unfounded. However, the ink of many Civil War letters was made with pokeberries.

Native American groups used pokeweed to treat a wide range of ailments, from building the blood (spring tonic) to fighting rheumatism, relieving skin problems, and more. Pokeweed was also incorporated into the European medical system as a treatment for many health issues: rheumatism, skin diseases, glandular issues, and many different types of inflammations. However, current medical research does not support these uses.