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American Pokeweed

comments (0) November 5th, 2009 in gallery

ChestnutCabinCook ChestnutCabinCook, member
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More colors of autumn: Purple berries on magenta stems! Click the image to enlarge.

More colors of autumn: Purple berries on magenta stems!

Photo: JoAnne Hildebrand
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Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a native herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in winter. While birds readily snack on the dark purple berries pictured here, all parts of the plant are highly poisonous to humans. (Some sources claim that young pokeweed leaves, after considerable boiling to reduce toxicity, may be eaten with risk.) Historically, the berries have been used as a source of dye and ink.

As for me, I just enjoy looking at them!

 

posted in: The Gallery, pokeweed
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