Report #1264 - Report: American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) on Jul 6, 2013

Submitter has sample
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

My husband is 6ft tall. The weeds seem to be between 5ft and about 10ft with the berries beginning to sprout on some. The stems are purple and green (Very thick). See pictures for further details

Commentary

I have three small children 5, and two 3 year olds; they all play outside within a close proximity to these weeds. Should I restrict them or be concerned for their health or safety if they are around the weeds?

Reporter
July 6, 2013, 9:45 a.m.

Hi, Patrisha. Thanks for your email. Pokeweed has kind of a mixed reputation. On the one hand, people have been eating the leaves (boiled 2 or 3 times) for many years. On the other hand, improperly or unprepared pokeweed can make you sick. I'm more of a 'better safe than sorry' kind of person, so I lean toward and remcommmend removing it. There are also some important ecological reasons to keep pokeweed under control (such as, they'll take over your yard...).

While the berries have just started forming, you can probably put all the stems and leaves in yard debris: roots should go in the trash. After another week or so of this weather, though, the berries will start to ripen, and then they'll need to go in the trash, too.

Feel free to contact me directly if you've got other questions, and thanks again for the email.

-Mitch
mitch.bixby@portlandoregon.gov

Mitch Bixby
July 8, 2013, 1:12 a.m.

Remedy

American pokeweed is an herbaceous perennial plant—above-ground stems die back completely each year but below-ground roots remain and can be very large, allowing plants to persist for years. Therefore, the entire root must be killed or removed, although getting every root fragment every year is nearly impossible. Expect full eradication to take 3-5 years. Also, be aware that pokeweed can make you sick if ingested, with roots most likely to be fatal.

Management comments: --Small infestations (few plants): If possible, dig entire root and throw in garbage, not compost. --Medium to large infestations (many plants): Dig roots, if possible. If not, apply herbicide in spring to early summer shortly after plants appear above ground. Carefully check label recommendations for safe and legally allowable volumes of herbicide you can apply. --In late summer and fall, plants will have purple to black fleshy fruits containing seeds. Herbicide application can be quite effective in late summer and early fall.
--In all cases, cut fruit-bearing stems and dispose of in the garbage, not compost. This prevents the berries from making new plants.

NOTE: Remember where the plant is! When it reappears in the spring, you can start working on it while the soil is still wet.

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) on Jul 6, 2013

Description of specimen

Commentary

Remedy

Resources

Location

Expert Reviewer