Phytolacca americana - Pokeberry - Seeds

Description

• Phytolaccaceae Caryophyllales
• North America
• H 2m x W 2m
•  Z4 
• Perennial
• Synonyms: Pokeweed, American Pokeweed, Ink Berry, Phytolacca decandra
• 1 packet of 30 seeds

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Details

Phytolacca americana is a large, fast-growing perennial herbaceous plant, which forms a 2m³ bush over the season from a large tuberous taproot

The aerial part dies with the first frost

The soft green foliage is aesthetic, the leaves are long, wide, and tender

Flowering takes place from June and continues throughout the summer

The whitish flowers are borne in clusters whith magenta peduncles

They are followed by small green berries which turn almost black when ripe

The berry of the American Pokeweed is pulpy and produces a bright magenta juice which stains strongly

It contains many black and hard seeds that birds scatter everywhere while consuming these fruits they love

Through their action, Phytolacca americana has often naturalized in the countries where it was introduced

In North America (southern Apalachia), the young blanched shoot of Phytolacca americana is traditionally consumed as a delicacy similar to asparagus, by cooking them.

The entire plant, except at this time of year, is poisonous to mammals, causing vomiting and convulsions

It should be handled with care

The fruit is used as a Natural Dye but the magnificent fuchsia color it gives as a stain is absolutely fragile and will disappear from sunlight or washing

On the other hand, the fermented berry gives solid colors in yellows or reds according to the dyeing procedure

American Pokeberry has medicinal properties: Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antiviral, Anti-Cancer, Cathartic, Expectorant, Hypnotic, Narcotic, Purgative

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Cultivation

Sow the seeds in autumn, winter or spring, in the nursery in pots that are deeper than they are wide so that the tap root of the seedling can grow vertically

Keep the soil moist

Germination takes place with the arrival of spring warmth

Transplant to the garden when the plant is sufficiently developed, generally around the end of May

Give it a sunny or partial shade location, deep, cool, fertile, rather acidic soil

Cut the dead stem at ground level after the first frosts

Grows back each year from its tap root

Easy cultivation