MICHIGAN WEEDS. 



327 



POKEWEED FAMILY. PHYTOLACCACEAE. 



A single weedy plant, is native to the northern states. The small family contains 

 about 85 species mostly native in the Tropics. 



Fig. 63. 



Pokeweed. Scokeroot. Pigeon Berry. Phytolacca decandra L. A tall, erect, 

 smooth perennial, 1-1.5 m. high, tinged with red late in the season, roots large, fleshy, 

 poisonous; leaves petiolate, oblong-lanceolate, acute at both ends; flowers in thin 

 racemes, 4-16 cm. long; the berries dark purple, much liked by birds. Naturalized 

 la Europe. Young shoots sometimes eaten like asparagus. 



