Pokeweed is an herbaceous perennial that has a densely dangerous profile. It comes from the botanical family Phytolaccaceae and is recognized by various other names, including American pokeweed, dragon berries, and poke sallet.
The pokeweed plant can climb up a good height of 6 to 10 feet, but if it is provided with a heavily nutritious environment then the height can soar up to 20 feet too. The pokeweed is characterized by not-so-strong, rigid to flexible stems that arise either alone or in paired form from the taproot. Further, pokeweed is marked by the presence of simple leaves that are tapered at both ends and pink, purple, green, or sometimes white flowers that are born in the form of clusters.
The pokeweed has earned a wicked profile due to its viciousness. It has been witnessed to outnumber the landscapes’ crops, leaving no forage for livestock and the agricultural yield. Its berries are also considered poisonous for human use. As much as it is hailed as the black sheep of the family, pokeweed does have some medicinal properties that are a tad bit responsible for ameliorating its portfolio. Its root washes have proven to be miraculous for sprains, swelling, and inflammation. Its leaves are crushed and ingested to induce emesis by triggering the chemoreceptor zone. If the pokeweed leaves are used as poultices then they can be helpful in managing the acne issues.