Phytolacca americana (syn: Phytolacca decandra) is belongs to the Phytolaccaceae, the Pokeweed family. Members of the family are found around the world in tropical and subtropical distribution with a few species that occur in temperate areas. About 16 genera and 100 species are recognized in the family. The genus Phytolacca contains 25 species which range from herbs to shrubs to tall trees. The name “phytolacca” means red dye plant.

American Pokeweed is a perennial herbaceous  plant, growing up to 3 m in height. It is native to the eastern United States: Midwest and Gulf Coastland also naturalized in parts of Europe and Asia. The plant also named as; Pigeonberry, Inkberry or Red Ink Plant.

Phytolacca americana has green, smooth, entire leaves up to 30 cm long. The leaves are alternate on green to red or purplish stems. Stems up to 5 centimeters in diameter, arise from a tuber-like taproot that can become large over several years. Bruised or crushed leaves and stems have an unpleasant odor. Flowers are green to white, followed by 5-10 mm diameter, shiny dark purple to almost black berries. Berries contain 6 to 12 seeds. Blooms first appear in early summer and continue into early autumn.

American Pokeweed reproduces by seed.  The seeds have a long viability and can germinate after many years in the soil.

All parts of the Phytolacca americana, especially the berries are poisonous, causing a variety of symptoms, including death in rare cases. Entire plant contains a poisonous substance similar to saponin and that the alkaloid phytolaccine also occurs in small amounts.

Young leaves and stems of American Pokeweed, when properly cooked are edible. They should boil three times in fresh water each time. The plant and its cooked leaves called poke. Poke is a traditional Appalachian food. The fruits are important food for some birds that are unaffected by its mammalian toxins. The plant sap can cause dermatitis in sensitive people. If taken internally, pokeweed is a slow acting but a violent emetic. Vomiting usually starts about 2 hours after the plant or parts of it have been eaten. Severe cases of poisoning result in purging, spasms, and sometimes convulsions. If death occurs, it is usually due to paralysis of the respiratory organs

The extract of Phytolacca americana berries can be processed to yield a red ink or dye. Ripe berries were used to colour wine (after cooking).

Use in Landscape: Although American Pokeweeds are poisonous, grown as ornamental plants, mainly for their attractive berries. It provokes interest for the variety of its natural products, for its ecological role. A number of cultivars have been selected for larger fruit panicles.