Tall North American native perennial with red stems, white flower racemes, and clusters of glossy purple-black berries in late summer. Berries yield a strong pink-to-purple dye, historically used for ink and food colouring.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H6 | −20 °C to −15 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–8 | −29 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–6 | −10 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Pink-purple dye extracted from the berries — historically used for ink (US Declaration of Independence drafts said to have used pokeweed ink) and clandestine wine adulteration
- WARNING: All parts of the plant are toxic — berries especially attractive to children, cause severe gastric distress and rarely fatal poisoning; cooked young shoots ("poke salad") are a regional southern US tradition but require multiple water-changes during boiling and are not recommended
- Pink dye fades on cloth — historically used for ephemeral marks and ink rather than colour-fast textile dyeing
- Dies to ground each winter and resprouts vigorously each spring
Pet caution: Pokeweed is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
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