POKEWEED FAMILY. 



PHYTOLACCACE^. 



Pokeberry. ' Phytolacca decamdra. 



Garget. 



Pigeon-berry. 



Found in meadows and waysides, from July to September. 



A plant, from 5 to 9 feet liigh, with many branches and leaves ; 

 the stalk is stout, and large (from 1 to 2, or more, inches in diameter), 

 and round ; it is hard -fibred and smooth ; in color a dull crimson. 



The large leaf is oval, tapering to the tip, and set on a very short 

 stem ; the texture is exceedingly fine, and smooth, and the color a rather 

 dark and grave green. The arrangement is alternate. 



The small 5-parted flower is white, tinted on the outside with 

 crimson ; the seed-box in the center is green. The flowers, on short, 

 pale crimson foot-stems, grow in elongated terminal clusters upon 

 crimson stems. 



The blossoms begin to open at the base of the cluster and continue 

 upward, leaving behind the partly formed berries ; when ripe they form 

 a cluster of blue-black fruit, smooth-skinned, and with an abundant 

 crimson juice. The Pokeberry is a plant of homely gesture and a rather 

 strong odor, redeemed by its luxuriant growth, and the fine quality of 

 its foliage. The berries are favorites of children who squeeze them to 

 use their deep magenta-crimson juice for writing and painting and 

 dyeing purposes. 



Si8 



