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Weed Identification in Christmas Trees

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Pokeweed - Phytolacca americana L.
 
Pokeweed plant
Pokeweed plant.
Life cycle: Erect, branched taprooted perennial.

Leaves: Alternate, hairless, broadly oval, lance- to egg-shaped with smooth to slightly wavy leaf margins.

Stems: Smooth, succulent, herbaceous, predominantly reddish and branched multiple times without a central stem, reaching up to 9 feet in height.

Flowers and fruit: Greenish white to pink flowers yield erect to nodding, hanging clusters of conspicuous, deep purple to black berries when mature. Berries are poisonous, and berry juice will easily stain.

Reproduction: Seeds. Often dispersed by birds.

Pokeweed seedling Pokeweed new plant Pokeweed fruit
Pokeweed seedling. Young pokeweed plant. Mature pokeweed berries.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated: 12/20/07