Phytolacca americana 

'Pokeweed'

Phytolaccaceae: an upright herbaceous perennial to 2m. Found on damp rich soils in clearings, woodland margins and roadsides, disturbed areas, pastures, clearings, thickets, woodland borders and roadsides. Small white-pink flowers in erect or drooping spike-like racemes. Blooming from August – September. Flowers are followed by glossy, fleshy crimson-black berries in autumn. Native to Northern and Central North America. Occasionally naturalized in Britain and Europe.

USES:

The young leaves must be cooked and even then, it is best to change the water once. They are used like spinach. Only the young leaves should be used since they become toxic with age.

Pokeweed has a long history of medicinal use, being employed traditionally in the treatment of diseases related to a compromised immune system. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. The root has alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Give seed 3 months cold treatment to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks. GA-3 helps. Year-old seed germinates better. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils, though preferring a moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Berries eaten by birds but toxic to people.

HARVESTED: 2022

APPROX. 50 SEEDS