Poke salat from Carolyn in South Carolina

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The plant was growing in our yard next to east side of the house. We were pulling up weeds April 1 and dug up the root when it wouldn’t just pull out. Some of the new growth shot up overnight after it was out of the ground.
Hope that helps, Thanks

 

Hi Carolyn,

this is pokeweed or ‘poke salat’ Phytolacca americana.  it is native, but weedy.  Many people in the south eat the young sprouts, but it should be done carefully because it has some poisonous parts [such as the root].

Sincerely,

Steve Hill, botanist, SCNPS

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