128 PHYTOLACCACEAE (POKEWEED FAMILY) 
along its sides; the single seed inside is also enclosed within 
the tube formed by the united filaments of the five stamens. 
These woolly and crested seed envelopes are very light and blow 
easily before the wind. (Fig. 80.) 
Means of control 
After the use of the horse-hoe is impracticable, continue the 
tillage of infested crops in order to prevent the distribution of late- 
maturing seeds. Plants on waste ground should be repeatedly cut 
in order to prevent contamination of adjacent land. 
POKEWEED OR POKEBERRY 
Phytoldcca decdéndra, L. 
Other English names: Virginia Poke, Scoke, Garget, Pigeon Berry, 
Ink Berry, Cancer Jalap, Redweed. 
Native. Perennial. Propagates by 
seeds. 
Time of bloom: July to September. 
Seed-time: Late August to No- 
vember. 
Range: Maine and Ontario to Min- 
nesota, southward to Florida and 
Texas. 
Habitat: Fence rows, thickets, and 
waste ground. 
A very handsome plant, which has 
been carried to Europe and natural- 
ized as an ornament in gardens. But 
when growing uncared for it is a 
dangerous weed; the root is very 
poisonous and the berries when eaten 
cause excessive nausea but are not 
emetic. Both root and berries are 
used in medicine, the drug market 
price for the root being two to five 
cents a pound and for the berries 
five cents a pound; the latter being 
Fic. 81.—Pokeweed (Phytolacca carefully dried on the stems, when 
decandra). x }. fully ripe, and the root collected in 
