Phytolacca americana (fy-toh-LAK-ah a-mer-ih-KAY-nah RI-ji-da)
Family: PhytolaccaceaeNativeHerbaceous
HerbaceousNative
Maritime Pokeweed is a perennial in the pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae). Native to the United States and found in the Southeast coastal regions in disturbed areas, coastal sands, tidal marsh edges, and roadsides. The genus name is an Algonquian word for red dye plant. Although it can reach 20 feet tall, it is usually 6-9 feet. This variety is smaller and less weedy than other Pokeweeds. It is identical to the species, American Pokeweed, but the flowers and berries grow on erect stems above the leaves. Some sites place it on the Watch List since it is seen infrequently. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication. Let it grow in remote areas to provide food for songbirds. In the garden, it is a poisonous weed. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems : All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans and pets. More information on Phytolacca americana .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Thin leaves, green on top, lighter below. Tapered at both ends.
Flower color
Black; Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Racemes, linear clusters with each small flower on a short stem appears spring-fall sometimes year-round. Flowers have 5 petals are whiteish pink with black centers.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit detail
Dark purple-black berry composed of 5-12 segments fused in a ring, on an erect stem (stems shorter than those on P. americana). Seeds are shiny, black and lenticular.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Pinkish-red, smooth and partially hollow stem is rigid to flexible, not strong.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Distribution
Only along the North Carolina seacoast.
Wildlife value
Fruits are eaten by songbirds, like robins, cedar-waxwings, and warblers, small mammals, raccoons, opossums, foxes, and black bears. Songbirds, mourning doves, and small mammals eat the seeds. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Roots; Nuts; Shoots
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Young tender leaves may be eaten only as thoroughly cooked greens (in two waters). Cooked berries are safe for making pies. CAUTION: Berries, roots and mature plants are poisonous. Thus only new, young growth should be used in cooking and baking. Any red-tinged plant material should be discarded. To avoid collecting any part of the toxic root, do not cut below ground level. HARVEST: Collect only young shoots from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect in early spring. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash young shoots thoroughly with warm water. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Peel and parboil tender young shoots (less than eight inches) in two changes of water several minutes each. Boil in a third water until tender and serve like asparagus. Young stalks less than one foot tall (with leaves removed and before red-tinged) can be cut and rolled in cornmeal and fried like okra. They can also be pickled. Young leaves taken from stalks less than one foot tall can be parboiled in two changes of water for several minutes each and boiled in a third water until tender. To freeze, parboil leaves twice, cook, pat dry and place them in plastic bags.
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Burning of mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, spasms, and convulsions; can be fatal
Toxic principle
Phytolaccatoxin and related triterpene saponins, an alkaloid (phytolaccin), and histamines
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems