Report #707 - Report: American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) on Oct 29, 2010

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

A large, bushy herbaceous perennial. resembles a small tree growing up to our pear tree 10 feet tall. It has smooth succulent red purple stems, large lance shaped leaves and grape like clusters of dark purple berries.

Commentary

What should I do now that I have provided this information? Call for help???

Reporter
Oct. 29, 2010, 5:51 a.m.

Dear Chona,

Thanks so much for reporting pokeweed. This is a highly invasive species that is not only a hazard to you and your family, but also spreads rapidly to other properties, including your neighbors, and to natural areas and farms where it is very destructive. I will forward your report to the local invasive species resource person to see if they will be able to help you remove it.

In the mean time, you might consider removing it yourself by first clipping off the berries and bagging them (to prevent any dropping and sprouting new plant next year) then digging out the plant. It is important to try to get all of the roots. Please wear gloves and be very careful since (as you know) the plant is toxic especially the roots. Dispose of all plant material in the trash and not the compost bin. Putting it in the compost will just contribute to its further spread).

The following fact sheet is a good resource for more info about pokeweed: www.4countycwma.org/WEEDS-POKEWEED2.pdf

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. Thanks again for your report and I'll let you know if I find a local person who can help.

Tania Siemens
Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701

Tania Siemens
Oct. 31, 2010, 11:44 p.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 Oct 29, 2010

Description of specimen

Commentary

Remedy

Resources

Location

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