Phytolacca rivinoides

• Scandent grown form but also shrublike bush in pastures, along streams or in the edge of forests.
• Presence of nectaries on flowers suggest pollination by stingless bees or butterflies. The fruits are dispersed by frugivorous birds.
• To prepare an antifungal remedy chop 200g of the root and boil in 4L of water for 30 minutes. When cold, use it as a sponge bath for the scalp and the skin.
• The ripe berries can be use to make a dark fabric dye PROPAGATION: Seeds

Native plant (0.3-2.5m tall), usually scandent grown form but also shrublike bush in pastures, along streams or in the edge of forests.

Elliptical acuminate alternate leaves and reddish-purple stems. Spikes up to 50cm long bear white flowers that produce green fruits that turns into dark purple. Occurs in moist, rainy and cloud forests of Central and North America.

Even though people has used young leaves for salads and older leaves for cooked preparations, nowadays it is recommended to use it only for external purposes to treat head and body lice. To prepare the remedy chop 200g of the root and boil in 4L of water for 30 minutes. When cold, use it as a sponge bath for the scalp and the skin.

High levels of oxalic acid are difficult to remove while cooking and may cause secondary effects as nausea and vomiting.

Presence of nectaries on flowers suggest pollination by stingless bees or butterflies. The fruits are dispersed by frugivorous birds.

PROPAGATION: Pokeweed is an attractive addition to home gardens and the ripe berries can be use to make a dark fabric dye. Collect the seeds from older plants and sow them around your home.