American Pokeweed
Scientific Name: Phytolacca americana L.
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Caryophyllidae / Caryophyllales / Phytolaccaceae / Phytolacca L./ Phytolacca americana L.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | PHAM4 |
| Group | Dicot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Forb/herb |
| Native Locations | PHAM4 |
Plant Guide
Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of American Pokeweed.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -33 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Low |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | High |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Fertility Requirement | Medium |
| Fire Tolerance | High |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 100 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | Medium |
| pH, Maximum | 8.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.7 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 65 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 30 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 16 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Tolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Slight |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Active Growth Period | Spring and Summer |
| Bloat | None |
| C:N Ratio | Medium |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | Yes |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | White |
| Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Moderate |
| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 7.3 |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Growth Form | Single Stem |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Black |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
|---|---|
| Small Grain | No |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Seed Spread Rate | Rapid |
| Seed per Pound | 58000 |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | Yes |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | High |
| Commercial Availability | No Known Source |
| Bloom Period | Mid Summer |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Protein Potential | Low |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | Yes |
| Palatable Graze Animal | Low |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Low |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
