Pokeweed

Pokeweed Photo
Category
Outdoor Plants
Health Rating
Poisonous
Latin Name
Phytolacca decandra

Description

Pokeweed, also known as dragonberries, poke sallet, and American pokeweed is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to ten feet tall. This plant has simple green leaves, bright or deep red stems, and long clusters called racemes of deep red, purple, or black berries. The small flowers can be with or green with no petals.

For Your Pet

All parts of pokeweed are toxic to humans and mammals. This plant is also known to get more toxic the more it grows and matures. The sap can cause dermatitis, and children and adults have been known to die from ingesting any part of it, including the berries. Most birds are immune to this poison as they eat the berries and spread the seeds, however cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and other animals have been poisoned by ingesting little amounts. Death usually occurs due to respiratory distress and paralysis.

Warning

Keep yourself and your pet away from pokeweed as it can cause serious illness, injury, and probable death.

Resources

If you believe that your pet has been poisoned immediately call your vet or one of the animal poison control hotlines on this list.

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