Pokeweed is a tall, branching perennial herb with greenish-white flowers and a red stem. It grows natively in waste places and along roadsides from Ontario to Florida, and west to Texas and Minnesota. It has been introduced into western North America and into other continents. Pokeweed grows 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3 meters) high. In fall, the berries ripen to a deep purple-black. The plant is known locally as poke, scoke, pigeonberry, pokeberry, poke salet, and inkberry.
The stems, leaves, seeds, and large fleshy roots of the pokeweed are poisonous. The plants must be cut off below ground level to kill them. The leafy sprouts are edible if cooked properly. The berries may be used as ink and food coloring. The roots and berries have been used to treat inflammation and skin diseases. Pokeweed is a source of several chemical compounds used in cancer research.
