Can someone identify this plant?
by
Ruth Rogers
+27
I can't remember putting this in and I don't know what it is.
23 answers
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It is hard to tell from the picture. It almost looks like Milkweed, but the rose colored plant stem makes me think Pokeweed.
Three Dogs in a Garden
on Apr 24, 2014
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poke salad
Bonita
on Apr 25, 2014
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Poke salad
Stacy Taylor
on Apr 25, 2014
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Pokeweed and it is a very invasive weed if you let it go and it produces its berries. You may have to dig it out because it will regrow from the roots.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Apr 25, 2014
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Don't know what it is but make sure it's not a hogweed that is very toxic and can make one blind.
Terea H
on Apr 25, 2014
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I agree with Pokeweed. I have an area in the property that has a large groth of them they get purple berries that the birds love. As Rene says very invasive.
Katt
on Apr 25, 2014
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Pokeweed
Betty Fancher
on Apr 25, 2014
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poke salad and you can cook and eat it. my mom fixes it in a special way every year and i always look forward to it. with onions and eggs. so good
Brenda Bryant
on Apr 25, 2014
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Thanks @Bonita, it's unknown to me. I can't imagine where it came from.
Ruth Rogers
on Apr 25, 2014
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@Stacy Taylor it looks looks a consensus. Is it good to eat?
Ruth Rogers
on Apr 25, 2014
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Thank you @The Garden Frog with C Renee Are the berries edible?
Ruth Rogers
on Apr 25, 2014
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First, it came from the inside of a bird. If you are lucky enough to have a washing line outside, be sure to get rid of the berries, as the birds will poop purple and any light fabrics hanging out will get nasty stains. Also, they will spread the seeds all over and you will have a lot more plants next year. Also, get yours while it's small enough, as they grow VERY tall and tough to pull. I have so many, that I just put some boots on and stomp on the bottom of the stem! Then it will die, but little off shoots will soon be coming up. I refuse to use Roundup, so I just put up with them. The birds DO love them too, and we love to watch them.
Linda T
on Apr 25, 2014
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I was going to say Chard , Poke salad it is .
Gayla Jones
on Apr 25, 2014
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POLK SALAD
Barbara Moore
on Apr 25, 2014
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weed in North East, but it's called poke plant and yes you can eat in a salad. we rip them out as soon as they start. They get in between all the flowers and out they go
Lynn Zawojski
on Apr 25, 2014
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Be careful, Ruth. Stems and berries are toxic
Joe Holton
on Apr 25, 2014
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Definitely Pokeweed. Berries are toxic and I've heard that the leaves are after a color change on the stem (I think). I've never been brave enough to try it since I can't remember when it is and isn't poisonous. It grows in my hog pen too & I figure if it's green & they won't eat it, I'm not going to either. Horrible invasive.
Julie Gibson
on Apr 26, 2014
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That is polk weed [or polk salad as we in the south refer to it]. You can use the leaves when young. Boil them twice , no they are NOT poison, to remove some of the dark green color, and scramble them with green onions and eggs, use as one does other greens.Had that yesterday. The stalks are edible, they can be fried like okra or pickled as one does okra. Use only the young stalks and never use any of the plant after it blooms and produces berries, that is when it is toxic. Enjoy.
Bmlinn37
on Apr 26, 2014
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My grandma and my dad both used to make poke salad. You can only eat it when it first comes up in the spring. Wash thoroughly, blanch in hot water, drain the water then cook in scrambled eggs. That's the only way I remember eating it. Has a kind of bitter taste if not cooked and rinsed properly.
Jeannie
on Apr 26, 2014
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One of y neighbors was talking about poke salad. I never would have thought this is what it looks like. Thanks to everyone for the methods to cook it.
Liliana Wells
on Apr 26, 2014
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We don't have poke weed here in CA so I wonder where it came from!
Michelle Eliker
on Apr 26, 2014
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Apparently some bird was trying to be very helpful. Thanks everyone for your information and your confirmation. You are all great!
Ruth Rogers
on Apr 27, 2014
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@Michelle Eliker Pokeweed is a perennial herb that is native to eastern North America and cultivated throughout the world. It can grow to a height of more than ten feet during the summer and dies back to the root each winter. The berries and dried roots are used in herbal remedies. My sister-in-law dried the berris and took tham one winter for some ailment.
Bmlinn37
on Apr 27, 2014
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