American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Terragio67
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Phytolaccaceae
- Genus:
- Phytolacca
- Species:
- Phytolacca americana
- USDA Symbol:
- PHAM4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
beet webworm moth (Spoladea recurvalis), Giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), Nealyda phytolaccae, somber carpet moth (Disclisioprocta stellata), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Synchlora herbaria, Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Obscure Psara Moth (Psara obscuralis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep taproot after fire or cutting. Often increases in disturbed areas post-fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in disturbed areas and forest edges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 4°C for 3 months, then place @ 20°C for 3 months. Pulpy coat inhibits germination. Remove by soaking and rinsing in clean water for approximately 7 days. Discard water. * wash in detergent; store dry