Stalking the Wild Pokeberry

Okay Lesley...you asked!

Here's a 'small' pokeberry specimen, about 5 feet high. It's also known as pokeweed. At its peak in late August, it's actually an attractive plant, if you can look past the fact that it's also a pesky weed! This one is a little past it's prime, and a lot of the berries have already fallen or been eaten by the waxwings or other birds.

Not a very clear vid I'm afraid. The original looks much crisper.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• LeSaMilano
• LesleyInMilano
• pokeberry
• pokeweed
• cedar
• waxwings
• birdfood

[mrslewis98]

These are an absolute no-no for children and pets. They are just too tempting and too poisonous.

[woosteria]

Agreed!!! One of the earlier comments indicated the pokeberries had possible been eaten by children, but to my knowledge, birds are the only animals that aren't poisoned by these berries. Thanks for your comment!

[messabout1]

We made dye and ink from mashed up polk berries but we were told not to eat them

[woosteria]

That's what I've read too...the toxin is found in the berries as well as the rest of the plant, and should not be eaten. However, LordTempist (comments above) says that he ate a few of them as a child without suffering adverse reaction, which is interesting.

[LeSaMilano]

wow, 2007 seems lightyears ago.

Happy New Year Kate, wishing you a fantastic year in 2011. XX

[woosteria]

Amazing how those memories never really fade. I grew up in PA and spent tons of time with sisters and friends looking for for berries, fossils, birds, animal tracks, whatever, in our woods! Thinking back on it now, it was a really great world to grow up in.

[LordTempist]

Ah Cool! My mom used to take me out into the country to wade in grass in the ditches and pick wild asparagus:) She knew all the good spots west of our small town in Iowa:)

[woosteria]

It's nice to be reminded of those lovely times! I was a wild plant grazer in those days too, in fact "Stalking the Wild Asparagus" was my outdoor bible!

[LordTempist]

Good point:) They did practically burst when we plucked them off. I remember my fingers all purpely from juice. It's amazing that I am recalling all this from summer days when I was about 7 years old. Such a carefree time.

[woosteria]

I'm guessing the really ripe berries would be quite sweet, because the birds go absolutely crazy for them in late summer/fall. And maybe most of the toxicity is lost in the ripening process?