Pokeweed. (Phytolocca americana). Make no mistake about it- the root
(which looks like horseradish) and seeds of pokeweed are violently
poisonous and people have died from eating them. So are pokeweed's leaves
and stems poisonous after turning red in autumn. Pokeweed or poke,
however, is prized by some for its tender young stalks, which are gathered
soon after they emerge form the earth and cooked like asparagus. Sometimes
the young leaves are used, too, after much boiling. What is of interest
here, though, is that the poisonous berries (the seeds in them are
poisonous) have been used in the past to make pokeberry ink, pokeberry
dye, and even to make a medicine I'm sorry to say I can't recommend for
anything. Pokeweed should not be grown on the home grounds and children
should be warned about its poisonous parts. It is a strong smelling,
handsome plant grows 6 to 10 feet tall, has oblong oval leaves 6 to 9
inches that are often red veined or red stalked, white flowers, and
blackish red berries. Don’t be fooled by birds eating the berry, seeds and
all-they are apparently immune to the poison. Stick to making ink from
them as a curiosity.
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