Native Plants
Plant Database
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Phytolacca americana var. americana
Phytolacca americana L. var. americana
American Pokeweed, Pigeonberry, Pokeberry
Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed Family)
Synonym(s): Phytolacca decandra
USDA Symbol: PHAMA3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall, usually much shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Blooms spring to fall in the North, year-round in the South.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVBenefit
Warning: This is frequently a troublesome weed. Because all parts of the plant are poisonous, its potential ethnobotanical uses are not treated here.Attracts: Birds
Poisonous: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Plant Identification
September 24, 2008
I have a single stem red vine with purple berries growing on it. It is in a cluster of bushes and gets mostly morning and early afternoon sun. The berries also have small bumps at the stem. I have ...
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Web Reference
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Phytolacca americana var. americana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Phytolacca americana var. americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phytolacca americana var. americana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-26Research By: TWC Staff