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Pokeweed inflorescences are cylindrical, 3-6" long and 1" in diameter with 1/4" flowers radiating in all directions on short green or white pedicels. Individual flowers have five pink or white sepals and ten white stamens in a circle around fused carpels that form a lobed dome with ten tiny, thread-like styles in the center; petals are absent. The fruit is a 1/4" wide M&M-shaped berry that becomes dark purple and shiny when ripe; the pedicels also turn reddish-purple. Pokeweed is impossible to confuse with any other local plant. Children appear to be especially sensitive and may need hospitalization after eating only a few ripe berries.

Phytolacca

Phytolacca americana

pokeweed [Blooms: Jun-Oct]