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Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
ヨウシュヤマゴボウ
A large perennial herb native to North America, naturalized along roadsides and wastelands. Growing 1–2 m tall, it produces white flowers in summer and dark purple grape-like berries in autumn. All parts are poisonous, with especially strong toxicity in the roots and fruits.
Identification Points
- ✓Stems turn reddish-purple when mature
- ✓Fruits are dark purple, hanging in grape-like clusters (poisonous)
- ✓Perennial with thick, enlarged roots in autumn
Habitat
Roadsides, wastelands, vacant lots, and forest margins
Season
June–September (flowers); September–November (fruit)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Habitat
Roadside
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Phylogenetic Positionヤマゴボウ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Caryophyllales > Phytolaccaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 50 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Phytolaccaceae belongs to the order Caryophyllales and is part of a special group that produces betalain pigments. The dark purple fruit juice has been used as ink since ancient times.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification