Indian poke (Phytolacca acinosa, Fl. ind. ed. 1832, 2:458. 1832)

Family: Phytolaccaceae

Author: Roxb.

Bibliography: Fl. ind. ed. 1832, 2:458. 1832

Year: 1832

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phytolacca

Vegetable: False

Observations: Himalaya to Temp. E. Asia

Description

Indian poke, scientifically known as Phytolacca acinosa, is a remarkable plant species belonging to the Phytolaccaceae family. The species was first described in an edition of “Flora indica” by the renowned botanist William Roxburgh in 1832.

This perennial plant is native to the majestic regions stretching from the Himalayas to temperate Eastern Asia, showcasing its ability to thrive in diverse climatic conditions. The Indian poke is often appreciated for its distinctive botanical characteristics and its potential uses in traditional medicine.

Characterized by its robust stature, Phytolacca acinosa features strikingly dark purple to black berries that emerge from prominent, greenish-white, racemose clusters. The berries are often considered toxic when raw but have been historically used in various applications once carefully processed. The foliage of the plant is known for its large, ovate leaves with smooth edges, adding to its aesthetic appeal in natural landscapes.

In traditional contexts, Indian poke has been utilized for its purported medicinal properties. However, it is crucial to approach its usage with caution due to the potential toxicity of its components if ingested improperly. Researchers and herbalists have explored its varied applications, although modern science continues to examine the efficacy and safety of such uses in greater detail.

Overall, Phytolacca acinosa stands as a testament to the botanical diversity and cultural significance found within the regions from the Himalayas to temperate Eastern Asia, continuing to intrigue botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: asiatische kermesbeere
Dan: asiatisk kermesbær, kermesspinat
Eng: indian pokeweed, indian poke, american pokeweed
Swe: kermesbär
Nld: oosterse karmozijnbes
Nno: kermesbær
Nob: kermesbær
Cym: llysiau-inc-coch india
En: Indian poke, Indian pokeweed, American Pokeweed
Ar: صبغة توتية
Zh: Shang lu, 商陆
Cs: Líčidlo jedlé
Da: Asiatisk kermesbær, Kermesspinat
Nl: Oosterse en Westerse karmozijnbes, Oosterse karmozijnbes
Fi: Idänkermesmarja
De: Indische Kermesbeere, Asiatische Kermesbeere
Hu: Kínai alkörmös
Ko: Jarigong, 자리공
Nb: Kermesbær
Nn: Kermesbær
Ru: Лаконос ягодный
Sv: Kermesbär
Zh-tw: 臺灣商陸
Zh-hant: 商陸
Cy: Llysiau-inc-coch India

Synonyms

• Phytolacca kaempferi (A.Gray)
• Phytolacca acinosa var. esculenta ((Van Houtte) Maxim.)
• Phytolacca esculenta (Van Houtte)
• Sarcoca acinosa ((Roxb.) Skalický)
• Pircunia esculenta ((Van Houtte) Moq.)
• Phytolacca acinosa var. kaempferi ((A.Gray) Makino)
• Sarcoca esculenta ((Van Houtte) Skalický)
• Phytolacca pekinensis (Hance)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Sep 23, 2021 by E Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Eliška Železná (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2018 by Pavel Homolka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Stulov Evgeny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2017 by Varrey Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 25, 2022 by Marcus Stettner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Dominique BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by GijsH van Gemert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by josef_13 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Lous kirch (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 1, 2020 by Claudia ten Kate (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Bernard van der Kar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2021 by Markus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2020 by Věra Kailová (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Adolf Weber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Miri Bewersdorff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Dominique BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Lisa Wiebrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Corsan Josema (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Lisa Wiebrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2022 by Martine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Bibbi Ta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Wouter de Croon (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084022)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:676329-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.)

Specifications

Growth