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Pokeweed family
Phytolaccaceae R.Br.
ヤマゴボウ科
A family of about 30 species distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical America. In Japan, Phytolacca americana (North American origin) is naturalized and grows vigorously in suburban areas. The berries contain red-purple pigments (betacyanins) and have been used for dyeing and folk medicine.
Key Characteristics
- ●Large perennial herbs or woody plants
- ●Leaves are simple, alternate, and large
- ●Flowers are small and apetalous, with 5 petal-like sepals
- ●Fruit is a berry, ripening to vivid red-purple
- ●Roots, leaves, and fruits contain toxic compounds (phytolaccatoxin)
Morphological Traits
A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Growth form
Shrub / Tree / Vine / Herb
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Stipules
Present / Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Petal count
4 petals / 5 petals
Petal fusion
Free / Fused
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4 / 5
Plant sex
Dioecious / Hermaphrodite
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Caryophyllales > Phytolaccaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 50 million years ago)
Representative Genera
Related Evolution Events
- ・Evolution of betalain pigments (betacyanins and betaxanthins)
- ・Adaptation to bird-mediated seed dispersal via fleshy berries
Plants in Pokeweed family on this site
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