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How to Grow
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Characteristics
Bloom Time
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Plant Type
Herb, Native Plant, Perennial, Poisonous, Weed, Wildflower
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Height
6-12 ft.
Flower
Racemes of small, white flowers in bloom July through September. Produces flowers that may be up to ¾ of an inch wide along 8” racemes. The flower has five petal-like greenish to white sepals.
Fruit
Drooping cluster of green fruit ripens to glossy dark purple-black that attract birds and small mammals. Displays from June to November., Purple
Benefits
Attracts
Birds
Warning
POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, mainly the roots; shoots, leaves, and berries when fresh and in quantity. Highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. Toxic Principle: Phytolaccatoxin and related triterpene saponins, an alkaloid (phytolaccin), and histamines. Medicinal: Amerindians used berry tea for rheumatism, arthritis, dysentery; poulticed berries on sore breasts, root poulticed for rheumatism, neuralgic pains, bruises; wash used for sprains, swellings; leaf preparations once used as an expectorant. (Weiner) Emetic and cathartic, poulticed for bleeding, pimples and black heads, juice may cause dermatitis. (Foster & Duke)
More Info
Taxonomy
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Phytolaccaceae
Genus
Phytolacca