pokeweed

A herbacious perennial, native to North America (Phytolacca americana); stems c.2 m/6½ ft; leaves oval; flowers small, white, 4-lobed, in dense spikes; berries dark purple with poisonous seeds. The leaves are used in salads. The berries yield a red dye, hence the alternative name, red ink plant. (Family: Phytolaccaceae.)

The pokeweeds, also known as poke, pokebush, pokeberry, pokeroot, polk salad, polk sallet, inkberry or ombú, comprise the genus Phytolacca, perennial plants native to North America, South America, East Asia and New Zealand. The lingering cultural significance of Poke salad can be seen in the recording of the song "Polk Salad Annie" by Tony Joe White, famously covered by Elvis Presley.

Pokeweed is used as a homeopathic remedy to treat many ailments.