Pokeweed
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a perennial branching herb 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 m) tall, with a large taproot, green or purple stems, and large, alternate, petioled and ovate leaves. The flowers are small, white in color, and petalless. The distinctive fruits are shiny purple berries. Pokeweed grows mostly in the eastern and southern United States. All parts of the plant, especially the roots, contain saponins and oxalates. Pokeweed mitogens may also cause mild to severe colic and diarrhea depending on the amount consumed. Fatalities are rare.
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