Pokeweed

Latin Name: Phytolacca americana

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Seedlings may have reddish underside of leaf
  • Alternate leaf pattern
  • Tap root
  • Produces white flowers from July into early fall
  • Produces berries starting out as green, then turn to purple and almost black as they mature
  • Mature plants have red stems
  • Can grow up to 9 ft tall

Plant Longevity:

  • Perennial

Where Commonly Found:

  • Pastures
  • Wooded areas
  • Fence lines
  • Waste areas
  • Reduced tillage fields
  • Rich, moist soils

Time of Most Concern:

  • When berries are present

Compound that Causes Concern:

  • Saponins, believed to be the primary toxic constituents, are present in the berry juice and other parts
    • Saponins, which are glycosides, dissolve cell membranes and cause red blood cell breakage
    • Saponins are bitter tasting
    • Presence of two distinct components that are different in water solubility result in detergent-like characteristics, which causes foaming in water
  • Other toxic constituents have also been identified including the alkaloid phytolaccine (in small amounts) and the alkaloid phytolaccotoxin, as well as a glycoprotein

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

  • All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the roots, shoots, and unripe berries
  • Toxicity of the berries decreases as they mature

Livestock Species Affected:

  • Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Horses
  • Goats
  • Swine

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

  • Pasture
  • Not found in managed hay fields

Clinical Signs:

  • Vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Spasms
  • Thirst
  • Impaired vision
  • Respiratory paralysis
  • Drowsiness

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

  • 10 raw berries can cause serious toxic effects in adult humans
  • 2-3 raw berries can be fatal in children
  • Ruminants are thought to be less susceptible to the toxic effects, likely due to action of rumen flora

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Seedlings may have reddish underside of leaf
  • Alternate leaf pattern
  • Tap root
  • Produces white flowers from July into early fall
  • Produces berries starting out as green, then turn to purple and almost black as they mature
  • Mature plants have red stems
  • Can grow up to 9 ft tall

Plant Longevity:

  • Perennial

Where Commonly Found:

  • Pastures
  • Wooded areas
  • Fence lines
  • Waste areas
  • Reduced tillage fields
  • Rich, moist soils

Time of Most Concern:

  • When berries are present

Compound that Causes Concern:

  • Saponins, believed to be the primary toxic constituents, are present in the berry juice and other parts
    • Saponins, which are glycosides, dissolve cell membranes and cause red blood cell breakage
    • Saponins are bitter tasting
    • Presence of two distinct components that are different in water solubility result in detergent-like characteristics, which causes foaming in water
  • Other toxic constituents have also been identified including the alkaloid phytolaccine (in small amounts) and the alkaloid phytolaccotoxin, as well as a glycoprotein

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

  • All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the roots, shoots, and unripe berries
  • Toxicity of the berries decreases as they mature

Livestock Species Affected:

  • Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Horses
  • Goats
  • Swine

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

  • Pasture
  • Not found in managed hay fields

Clinical Signs:

  • Vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Spasms
  • Thirst
  • Impaired vision
  • Respiratory paralysis
  • Drowsiness

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

  • 10 raw berries can cause serious toxic effects in adult humans
  • 2-3 raw berries can be fatal in children
  • Ruminants are thought to be less susceptible to the toxic effects, likely due to action of rumen flora

https://extension.psu.edu/common-pokeweed-identification-and-management

https://blogs.cornell.edu/weedid/common-pokeweed/

Beasely et al. Notes for Toxicology VB 320: A systems approach to veterinary toxicology. University of Illinois. 1994