Skim off any seeds that float to the top they aren’t viable. Let the seed sit in the water for a few days. In order to propagate from seed, collect the berries and crush them in water. Pokeweed roots can be transplanted in the late winter or seeds can be sown in the early spring. If you do too, growing pokeberry plants is easy. European gardeners appreciate the shiny berries, colorful stems, and lovely foliage. While most Americans don’t actually cultivate pokeweed, it seems that Europeans do. In other words, it boosts the productivity of solar energy. The dye doubles the efficiency of fibers used in solar cells. Lastly, researchers at Wake Forest University have discovered a new use for the dye derived from pokeberries. It is also being tested to see if it can protect cells from HIV and AIDS. Today, new research points to pokeberry use in cancer treatment. Pokeberries were used to cure all manner of ills from boils to acne. Native Americans dyed their war ponies with it and during the Civil War, the juice was used as ink. Pokeberries were also used for dying things. The greens are then made into a traditional spring dish called “poke sallet.” They pick the young leaves and then boil them at least two times to remove any toxins. This doesn’t prevent some people from ingesting the tender spring leaves, though. In fact, the berries, roots, leaves, and stems are all toxic to humans. Many animals and birds gorge themselves on the berries, which are toxic to people. Native Americans used this perennial herb as a salve and a cure for rheumatism, but there are many other uses for pokeberries. When the flowers are spent, green berries appear that slowly ripen to almost black. It can be found in Sunset zones 4 through 25.Īlong the magenta stems hang spearhead-shaped 6 to 12 inch (15-31 cm.) long leaves and long racemes of white blooms during the summer months. Pretty much labeled as a weed, the plant can grow 8 to 12 feet (2-4 m.) in height and 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) across. The pokeweed, or pokeberry, also goes by the name of poke or pigeonberry. Each pokeberry devoured by a hungry bird has 10 seeds with an outer coating that is so hard the seeds can remain viable for 40 years! The birds had a hand in the sowing of the pokeberry. Sure, it very well might be there, growing wild along the fence or in the garden, but the gardener didn’t actually plant it. Information on Pokeweed in Gardensįirst of all, most people don’t actually cultivate pokeweed in their gardens. Interested in growing pokeberry plants? Read on to find out how to grow pokeberries and what uses there are for pokeberries. To some, it’s an invasive weed meant to be destroyed, but others recognize it for its amazing uses, pretty magenta stems, and/or its purple berries that are a hot commodity for many birds and animals. Pokeberry ( Phytolacca americana) is a hardy, native perennial herb that can be found commonly growing in the southern regions of the United States.
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