Are you trying to figure out how to get rid of Pokeweed? Well, we can’t blame you. Pokeweed is a nightmarish weed that invades with triumphant force. While some past and present holistic healers swear on its medicinal powers, pokeweed is considered poisonous. Every part of this pernicious plant is poisonous. Touching it with your bare hands can cause rashes like something out of a horror movie, especially for people with sensitive skin and allergies. Its potent chemicals can easily pass through an open wound as well.
Enough of it can send you on a long painful trip to your bathroom. In worse cases, the emergency room. Ingesting it without removing its toxins can be a death sentence. Eating just a few berries can rapidly cause serious bodily harm.
Gardeners hate them and for good reason.
Getting rid of pokeweed is as pleasant as touching fire. They are a Mount Everest size obstacle and dealing with them is not easy. Since they wiggle their ugly heads around your plants, yard, and garden, they can cause undue damage to your lovely outdoor space.
If you’ve spotted pokeweed, you’re probably looking to obliterate it. We’ll share exactly how to get rid of pokeweed. We’ll dive deep into the subject and learn:
- How to spot pokeweed
- How dangerous they are to your pets and children
- What to do when you see one
- The best way to get rid of pokeweed
What is Pokeweed?
Known formally as Phytolacca Americana, Pokeweed is an herbaceous pernicious weed that grows in many parts of the world. It usually grows in open fields of unsettled and agitated soil. At the worst moments, it shows its unraveled head on your lovely garden.
For those living in the United States, you’ll likely find pokeweed in areas known as plant hardiness zones, particularly zones between 2 through 11.
Pokeweed is considered such a nuisance that it’s categorized as a pest species. Not only does it pose a threat to you, but it can also easily harm your livestock and pets.
Once you see one, it’s important to tackle them fast. These toxic weeds are a rampant threat if left untreated. They produce over 40,000 seeds which creates more annoying pokeweeds that replicate like the extraterrestrials from the movie Aliens. Even worse, under certain conditions, they can last for forty years or more.
If this is making you dizzy, don’t worry. We’ll talk about how to kill them from the root so they can be gone for good. We’ll share how a little later.
What Does Pokeweed Look Like?
Pokeweed is not hard to spot. They have woody stem shrubs that are red or green, which can grow to be as tall as ten feet. They average between four to ten feet in height with oval leaves measuring close to ten inches long. Their obnoxiously wide width makes you wonder what mother nature was thinking.
Pokeweeds begin to emerge during the summer and the beginning of autumn. Their large forest green oval leaves begin to sprout dark red stems. These hold the noxious purple and black enameled pokeberries. The berries are first green and turn purple shortly after.
Pokeberries grow from wide bunches of white and green flowers protruding out of pokeweeds. The telling sign you’re looking at pokeberry is from the red stems they’re latched to.
Although they may look tasty, the illusory trap quickly folds thanks to a notable and unsavory smell. Although the whole plant is considered poisonous, the roots and stem are the most toxic. The berries are the least toxic, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. Handling them should still be treated with caution.
Other Facts About Pokeweed
Pokeweed is part of the Phytolaccaceae plant family. This family of plants is the family version of an “Uncle Vinny,” who tries to sell you snake oil wrapped in gold.
The family of plants is known for its tedious spreading and deep-rooted growth patterns. It’s not easy to get rid of.
Pokeweed’s taproot is embedded deep into your soil. That’s what makes it so hard to remove. They’ve dug themselves deep into the ground and won’t go without a fight. Cutting its life source is the best way to never see one on your property.
Among other things, Pokeweed goes by other names.
For a plant that’s been around for so long, it’s had its number of nicknames. Pokeweed is sometimes called:
· Pigeon Berry
· Inkberry
· Pokan Bush
· Nightshade
· Poke
· Redweed
· Red Ink Plant
When a brave soul properly prepares and cooks it, the berries are known as Poke Salat.
Is Pokeweed Poisonous To Touch?
The short answer is, yes. The longer answer is, it depends.
Pokeweed contains a powerful chemical irritant that only gets stronger as the plant ages.
Pokeweed produces toxins known as saponins, phytolacca, and oxalates. Saponins alone are not enough to harm people. But, combined with its other chemical counterparts, like phytolacca, it can be problematic.
While it isn’t necessarily fatal to touch, it can cause Poke Rash. People with sensitive skin and allergies, as well as children, are the most vulnerable.
An open wound can make it easier for the toxic chemicals to sneak through. If you’re not handling it with the right protective gear, you might as well lather yourself with it (don’t do that).
If you’re dealing with these potent weeds, it’s important to wear protective clothing. If you’ve touched one, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and apply lotion to ward off any potential problems.
Can You Eat Pokeweed?
Pokeweed has been sliding down people’s throats for as long as they’ve been around. Despite its dangers, there are brave hearts who’ll have them as a side salad.
Some even use them as holistic medicine. No evidence suggests pokeweed will treat your back pain, stomach problems, or other ailments. It will probably do the opposite.
In any case, despite its toxic chemicals, you can cook pokeweed. However, you need to carefully prepare them. If you’re not sure how to properly remove its noxious compounds, you should avoid trying. People who eat it will boil and cook it multiple times before serving it.
Even after careful prepping, you’re still at risk for poisoning. If you don’t like gambling with your stomach and you’re not an expert at preparing pokeweed, you should avoid eating it.
Is Pokeweed Poisonous to Dogs and Other Pets?
Because of its toxins, pokeweed can be very dangerous for dogs. They can equally be dangerous for livestock and other pets. Pokeberries can fall from their stem and find themselves on other plants as well as other areas of your yard.
Dogs will have the same side effects as people would. Interestingly, some birds don’t seem to be affected by their toxins, but pokeweed is generally bad for any mammal that consumes it.
Does It Really Have Health Benefits?
No documented study proves that Pokeweed has any health benefits. While much of its usage in history can be traced back to indigenous people and early settlers, it’s not proven to provide any real remedies.
However, if you comb through enough medical reports, you will see a list of serious and lethal poisoning cases.
There’s enough toxin to cause serious health problems when ingested.
As we’ve mentioned before, when you’re handling or removing pokeweed from your yard, field, or garden, make sure to wear protective gear. Gloves, long-sleeves, and goggles can go a long way.
Remove Pokeweed From Your Property
The internet rabbit hole can always make any subject confusing. Our guide will explain safe and effective ways to remove pokeweed from your property.
How To Kill Pokeweed Naturally?
To naturally kill pokeweed, you need to remove it either by hand or with a shovel. Be careful though! If you don’t properly uproot the whole taproot, you’ll leave behind pieces of its roots. This will cause more of them to grow back with fury.
Here are some suggestions:
- Pull out smaller pokeweed plants by hand. It’s harder to do when they’re too big.
- Remove from the base and pull all out its thick taproot.
- Uprooting larger pokeweed by hand is hard. Especially during the summer since the soil is dryer. We recommend you use a shovel.
- Dig a 12-inch circle around the plant. This will help you cut below the root to prevent it from regrowing.
- Once you’ve uprooted the plant, you’ll want to use a rototiller. This will help you pick up all the loose roots and pieces.
Avoid putting them in a compost bin until they’re fully dried out. Plus, placing them in another area of your lawn will cause regrowth.
You’ll probably find yourself doing this many times. Removing by hand or with tools is the best way to get rid of them without using herbicides. The idea is to kill weeds without killing your grass.
How To Kill Pokeweed Using Chemicals
If you’ve tried removing them by hand, but more keep showing up, it might be time to use 41% glyphosate herbicides. Just about any big brand weed killer will do the trick.
It’s important to note, they will only work if the plant has already sprouted, and the oval leaves have blossomed. Avoid applying herbicide in early spring and late fall. When they’re actively growing, they’re harder to kill.
Another thing you should remember. Pay attention to the glyphosate levels in any herbicide you’re buying. Certain market brands have 18% which will require you to spray more herbicide and make it less effective. You should be looking for a product that has at least 41% glyphosate.
Future Prevention
Prevention is key. Making sure you check every nook and cranny of your property is the best way to avoid pokeweed in the first place.
Check along every canopy, open area, barriers, and plants for signs of pokeweed occurrence.
Thanks for reading, if you have any other ideas on how to get rid of pokeweed send us a message and we will add them to this article.