also called pokeberry or poke
Strong-smelling shrublike plant ( Phytolacca americana ) with a poisonous root resembling the shape of horseradish, native to wet or sandy areas of eastern North America.
It has white flowers, reddish black berries, and dark green leaves that often are red-veined or borne on red leafstalks. The berries contain a red dye used to colour wine, candies, cloth, and paper. Like the roots, the red or purplish mature stalks are poisonous. Very young green shoots (up to about 6 in. [15 cm]), however, are edible.