Poke

Pokeweed, poke, pokeberry, inkberry - these are the names of Phytolacca americana. Its name tells of its native ancestry, as well as its use in making a red dye (Phyto = plant, lacca = like lac, a red dye made from insects). Early shoots of the plant cooked in several changes of water create poke salat, a Southern wild edible specialty. The conspicuous hot pink berries, appearing in the fall, can create a corresponding dye if prepared with sufficient acidity. The whole plant contains toxic compounds, but the bitter berries have old-time recipes associated with them, and I’ve also known old timers to eat a berry a day to protect against cancer. The root, also, is strong lymph-moving medicine when used topically (or internally, in very low doses).