pokeweed
Purple-berried wild herb
Pokeweed is a tall perennial plant native to eastern North America, with white flowers, dark purple berries, and a thick root.
The young shoots are sometimes eaten after careful cooking, but the mature plant—especially the root and berries—is toxic.
The berries produce a deep red dye historically used for ink: The Declaration of Independence may have been drafted in pokeweed ink.
Capable of causing death
- saponinsFoaming plant glycosides
- alkaloidsNitrogen-based organic compounds
- berriesSmall fleshy fruits
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
nausea · vomiting · diarrhea · convulsions · dermatitis · ingestion · warning · hazard
Recurring each year
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- taprootMain descending root
- racemeUnbranched flower cluster
- berrySmall edible fruit
drupe · magenta · stalk · deciduous · native · invasive · roadside · disturbed
Traditional unofficial medical treatment
- poulticeMoist healing application
- rheumatismInflammatory joint condition
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
- tinctureHerb steeped in alcohol
herbalism · traditional medicine · anti-inflammatory · antiviral · immune · research · homeopathy · root
Plant-derived fabric tint
- pigmentColor-imparting material
- magentaVivid purplish-red hue
- crimsonDeep purplish-red shade
- purpleHue between crimson and azure
ink · berries · staining · mordant · fiber arts · textile · coloring · Declaration of Independence
Perching birds with musical calls
- mockingbirdSound-copying songbird
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
- robinSmall orange-breasted thrush
seed dispersal · wildlife · habitat · hedgerow · meadow · woodland edge · pollinator · bee
Loose-leafed early brassica
- shootsFires or photographs
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
- boilingLiquid vaporization temperature
- parboilingPartially cooking in water
toxin · tender · harvest · Appalachian · potherb · traditional · subsistence · preparation
poisonous
Capable of causing death
roots · nausea · vomiting · diarrhea · convulsions · dermatitis · ingestion · warning · hazard · livestock
perennial
Recurring each year
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- taprootMain descending root
- racemeUnbranched flower cluster
berry · drupe · magenta · stalk · deciduous · native · invasive · roadside · disturbed · nitrogen-rich
folk remedy
Traditional unofficial medical treatment
- poulticeMoist healing application
- rheumatismInflammatory joint condition
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
tincture · herbalism · traditional medicine · anti-inflammatory · antiviral · immune · research · homeopathy · root · salve
natural dye
Plant-derived fabric tint
purple · ink · berries · staining · mordant · fiber arts · textile · coloring · Declaration of Independence · Civil War
songbirds
Perching birds with musical calls
- mockingbirdSound-copying songbird
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- thrushSpotted woodland vocalist
robin · seed dispersal · wildlife · habitat · hedgerow · meadow · woodland edge · pollinator · bee · native plant
spring greens
Loose-leafed early brassica
- shootsFires or photographs
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
- boilingLiquid vaporization temperature
parboiling · toxin · tender · harvest · Appalachian · potherb · traditional · subsistence · preparation · water changes
- weedsdandelion, crabgrass, thistle, nettles, ragweed
- wildflowersblack-eyed Susan, black-eyed Susans, daisy, buttercup, bluebonnets
- bird-spread plantsholly, elderberry, mulberry, hackberry, juniper
- foraged greensdandelion greens, lamb's quarters, purslane, chickweed, nettle
- herbal remediesechinacea, chamomile, valerian, ginseng, ginkgo biloba
- native plantssagebrush, dogwood, wildflowers, milkweed, juniper