pokeweed

American  

[pohk-weed] / ˈpoʊkˌwid /

noun

1. any of numerous and usually toxic plants of the genus Phytolacca, including P. americana, of North America, having juicy purple berries and a purple root used in folk medicine, and young shoots resembling asparagus: pokeweed species vary greatly in height, with some growing to about 3.2 feet (1 meter) and others as tall as 82 feet (25 meters).

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pokeweed British  

/ ˈpəʊkˌwiːd /

noun

1. Also called: inkberry.  Sometimes shortened to: poke.  a tall North American plant, Phytolacca americana, that has small white flowers, juicy purple berries, and a poisonous purple root used medicinally: family Phytolaccaceae

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Etymology

Origin of pokeweed

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; poke ⁴ + weed ¹

Example Sentences

Once you’ve located a site with pokeweed, it’s a good bet that the plants will be found there year after year.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2017

Consequently, it may seem strange that pokeweed is avidly sought out as a wild edible.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2017

In fact, pokeweed is an important food source for myriad songbirds, including cardinals, catbirds and mockingbirds.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2017

The researchers also found at least 57 different plant taxa in the dung deposit, from conifer cones and wild plum to ash and pokeweed.

From Scientific American • Sep. 10, 2017

I start a small fire in the outdoor fireplace, wrap the primrose and artichoke in maple leaves, and clip some young shoots of a pokeweed.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George