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Integrated Crop Management
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Common pokeweed

Common pokeweed - Phytolacca americana L.

Family: Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)
Life cycle: Perennial reproducing by seed
Native status: Native to N. America
Habitat: Waste areas, landscapes, no-till fields

General description: Large, branched herbaceous perennial producing a large taproot and reaching heights of 9 ft. Emerging shoots resemble asparagus with large leaves. Leaves are alternate, egg-shaped to lanceolate, glabrous, up to 12” long and 4” wide. Stems are frequently red or purple. Flowers are produced on terminal racemes, white, developing into dark purple berries.

Key ID traits: Branched plant with large, lanceolate leaves with entire or wavy margins. Raceme of white flowers or purple berries.

Miscellaneous: Although all parts of the plant contain toxins, when shoots or leaves are harvested early and boiled, they are safe and were widely used as a salad green in the south. Young shoots can be prepared similar to asparagus. In 1969, Polk Salad Annie, a song by Tony Joe White, reached #8 in the Top 100.

branched plant with alternate, lanceolate leaves
Branched plant with alternate, lanceolate leaves
raceme with immature, green berries. Seedhead is initially white
Raceme with immature, green berries. Seedhead initially is white.
at one time pokeweed was canned for use as greens
At one time pokeweed was canned for use as greens

Weed ID Factsheets Index 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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