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Phytolacca octandra

L. (1762)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-CoreEudicot Order: Caryophyllales Family: Phytolaccaceae Genus: Phytolacca

pokeweed, southern pokeberry

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect, branched perennial herbs 4–6(–15) dm tall.

Stems: Stems often reddish, angular.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades elliptic–lanceolate to narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, 6–22 cm long, 1.7–7.5 cm wide. Apex mucronate. Surfaces usually glabrous, sometimes lower surfaces sparsely puberulent along veins. Margins entire. Petioles 1–3 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in racemes 7–14 cm long, usually moderately puberulent, peduncles 0.5–2(–3) cm long, pedicels 0.5–2 mm long, each flower subtended by a single bract and 2 bracteoles; bract 2–2.5 mm long, bracteoles ca. 1 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx of 5 sepals, white to sometimes dark pink, somewhat unequal, oblong to ovate, ca. 2–3 mm long. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 8–10, in a single whorl; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 7–8(–10)-carpellate, the carpels connate throughout, depressed–globose, placentation basal; ovule 1 per carpel, campylotropous; styles as many as carpels.

Fruit: Berries purple; depressed–globose; 7–8(–10)–ribbed; ca. 4–6 mm in diameter. Seeds 5–16; glossy black; lenticular; smooth; ca. 2 mm in diameter; embryo curved around perisperm; true endosperm absent.

Ploidy: 2n = 36

Habitat: Dry pastures and mesic to wet forest.

Elevation Range: 10–1,280 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds

Pollinators

Notes

  • Roots, leaves, berries, and seeds contain toxins that affect the digestive and nervous system as well as harm red blood cells

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 631 (1762)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1015 (K, O, Mo, L, M)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mts., Kupehau Gulch With Chenopodium and pamakani Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 1068 Oahu BISH 1947-11-06
2 Phytolacca octandra Haena State Park In previously bulldozed area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-15
3 Phytolacca octandra Waiapaa Gulch, SE of Lanai City, leeward side of Lanaihale, west-facing slope uncommon herb on steep slope covered with Melinis minutiflora, some Bryophyllum pinnatum, Conyza, Cirsium. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 200254 Lanai BISH 2002-08-13
4 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountain Range; East ridge of Haleanau Gulch, Schofield Barracks Military Reservation West Range Plants collected in burned area. Vegetation: Acacia koa, Buddleja, and Phytolacca. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 5566 Oahu BISH 1977-02-27
5 Phytolacca octandra Kaiholena Valley Sunny area on floor of valley. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3532 Lanai BISH 1986-06-04
6 Phytolacca octandra Honouliuli, Puu Hapapa Scattered on litter-covered streambed, canopy of Pisonia and Aleurites. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2416 Oahu BISH 1985-08-24
7 Phytolacca octandra Kawela AHU.; Tr 25(1); Puu Hoi Ridge, upper Pelekunu Valley, 25 m. from pali of headwall Mesic ohia forest with other native trees and native shrub-exotic grass and shrub u/s. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 3005 Molokai BISH 1980-08-07
8 Phytolacca octandra Southeast of Puu Haspapa Becoming common above pineapple fields. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8892 Oahu BISH 1932-10-30
9 Phytolacca octandra Nualolo Valley, Na Pali Coast collected along the streambed, growing with Aleurites, Melia, and Kalanchoe. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 349 Kauai BISH 1979-07-18
10 Phytolacca octandra Hanalei District; Kalalau Rim; N facing cliffs below first Kalalau lookout Diverse montane precipitous slopes with small pockets of forest and vertical cliffs. Associated plants; Poa mannii,Stenogyne campanulata, Lyismachia glutinosa, Melicope pallida, Nototrichium sp. nov., Dubautia, Acacia koa, Dryopteris unidentata, Metrosideros, Coprosma, Vaccinium dentatum, Lipochaeta, Wilkesia, Lobelia niihauensis, Chamaesyce, Lepidium, Exocarpos, Preserved_Specimen Wood, K.R. 909 Kauai BISH 1991-06-09
11 Phytolacca octandra Waimea District. Upper Poopooiki Valley, Kuia NAR Gulch bottom recently cleared of Psidium cattleianum inside of fenced management area. in Diverse Mesic Forest. Metrosideros polymorpha var. glaberrima, Acacia koa, Chrysodracon aurea, Syzygium sandwicensis, Elaeocarpus bifidus, Nestegis sandwicensis, Dodonaea viscosa, Kadua affinis, Diplazium sandwichianum Preserved_Specimen Williams, A.M. 604 Kauai BISH 2019-08-22
12 Phytolacca octandra Windward side of island, Anapuhi to Wainene Long coastal boulder-strewn beach with vertical cliff 10 ti 39 n, frin water. Cliff with Artemisia australis, Chenopodium oahuense, Schiedea globosa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Tetramolopium sylvae, Lythrum maritimum, and Hedyotis littoralis, among others. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5745 Molokai BISH 1987-08-01
13 Phytolacca octandra At upper end of Hanalilolilo pipeline Edge of stream bed. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8897 Molokai BISH 1928-04-24
14 Phytolacca octandra Kokee forest Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10687 Kauai BISH 1930-12-26
15 Phytolacca octandra Hapapa, rocky slopes at the Divide Also occur in streambed situations. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. Oahu BISH 1986-10-01
16 Phytolacca octandra Above Ka Loho Reservoir, Kilauea Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 507 Kauai BISH 1916-10-07
17 Phytolacca octandra Waipio Common in deserted pineapple field. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 695 Oahu BISH 1967-11-08
18 Phytolacca octandra Kokee, 0.3 mi down Kumuwela Ridge Road; E of road off ridge top steep slope above stream Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1592 Kauai BISH 1986-03-04
19 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Honouliuli; lower end of Puu Kaua Ridge Open field. Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. Oahu BISH 1932-11-06
20 Phytolacca octandra Pohakea Pass Naturalized in dry pasture below pass on Honolulu side. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8894 Oahu BISH 1932-08-01
21 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Kolekole Pass Along sunny roadside. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2462 Oahu BISH 1928-01-01
22 Phytolacca octandra Gully S of Puu Kolekole Growing in `a`ali`i - pukiawe scrub with exotic grasses. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 1158 Molokai BISH 1982-05-24
23 Phytolacca octandra Near Kolekole Pass on Honolulu side Naturalized Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8899 Oahu BISH 1925-10-01
24 Phytolacca octandra Waimea, Kokee State Park, NW side of Kumuwela Ridge along Kumuwela Ridge Rd. at 1.5 mi S of Mohihi Rd disturbed mixed mesophytic forest of Metrosideros & Acacia koa invaded by Rubus & Passiflora Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5280 Kauai BISH 1987-07-01
25 Phytolacca octandra Kaa Ahupuaa Along Lapaiki Road near Eucalyptus windbreak. Transect La, Station 19. Dry mixed native tree community with a native shrub-exotic grass and shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2192 Lanai BISH 1979-04-02
26 Phytolacca octandra Kalae. (cattle paddocks) Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 107 Molokai BISH 1912-06-01
27 Phytolacca octandra Waimea, Mahanaloa Valley, Kopiwai Trail Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 389 Kauai BISH 1952-02-05
28 Phytolacca octandra Kalaheo, moist grassy area Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 30273 Kauai BISH 1926-06-18
29 Phytolacca octandra Kipapa Gulch Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 955 Oahu BISH 1933-04-02
30 Phytolacca octandra Kokee State Park, edge of wet forested area Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1050 Kauai BISH 1968-04-15
31 Phytolacca octandra NW of Puu Hapapa, in abandoned pineapple field. Kwan Kee Park Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8895 Oahu BISH 1932-08-07
32 Phytolacca octandra Waimea, Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, Cliff trail, between Halemanu and Nawaimaka valleys Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 889 Kauai BISH 1953-08-07
33 Phytolacca octandra Palawai, Kaluanui Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5804 Lanai BISH 1976-04-01
34 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Range, ridge south of Pohakea Pass Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1644 Oahu BISH 1931-03-19
35 Phytolacca octandra Lawai Valley, PTBG; occasional in wet area across road from hibiscus hill Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2012 Kauai BISH 1971-07-20
36 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Range, Honouliuli, North Branch South Kaaikukai Gulch Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 1364 Oahu BISH 1948-03-26
37 Phytolacca octandra Overlooking Leper Settlement Preserved_Specimen Native Collector 8898 Molokai BISH 1928-01-01
38 Phytolacca octandra Halemanu, undergrowth in open forest Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 788 Kauai BISH 1927-02-18
39 Phytolacca octandra Koele, woods near Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 109932 Lanai BISH 1999-10-25
40 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Puu Kaua Trail Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. 226 Oahu BISH 1955-12-11
41 Phytolacca octandra Kamakou Preserve, Pepeopae Bog Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4923 Molokai BISH 1983-07-30
42 Phytolacca octandra Kokee State Park, edge of wet forested area Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1050 Kauai BISH 1968-04-15
43 Phytolacca octandra Southern Waianae Range. Trail to Palikea, Honouliuli Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 209 Oahu BISH 1989-11-09
44 Phytolacca octandra Schofield District; Kunia, near Hapapa Preserved_Specimen Nitta, K. 105 Oahu BISH 1930-03-16
45 Phytolacca octandra Napali coast, Hanakapiai, Maunapuluo Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10880 Kauai BISH 1930-12-30
46 Phytolacca octandra Kalae. (cattle paddocks) Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 107 Molokai BISH 1912-06-01
47 Phytolacca octandra Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 1 Molokai BISH 1910-06-01
48 Phytolacca octandra Ravine on way from Schofield Barracks to Mt. Kaala Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3342 Oahu BISH 1926-04-01
49 Phytolacca octandra Kalaupapa. Preserved_Specimen Arakaki, D. 2 Molokai BISH 2009-05-06
50 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Honouliuli; Puu Hapapa Preserved_Specimen Sideris, J. Oahu BISH 1931-10-25
51 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Honouliuli, Puu Kaua Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 158 Oahu BISH 1950-02-26
52 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains Preserved_Specimen Beardsley, J.W. Oahu BISH 1959-04-01
53 Phytolacca octandra Kunea Preserved_Specimen van Zwaluwenburg, R.H. Oahu BISH 1950-12-06
54 Phytolacca octandra Kokee, Waimea, Na Pali-Kona forest reserve roadside Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13702 Kauai BISH 1933-12-27
55 Phytolacca octandra Kokee. Camp 10 road; garden at Plew's resisdence Preserved_Specimen Plews, J.H.R. Kauai BISH 1986-10-23
56 Phytolacca octandra Honouliuli, Puu Kaua Preserved_Specimen Davis, H. Oahu BISH 1932-11-06
57 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains, top of Kaala Preserved_Specimen Winne, J. Oahu BISH 1938-11-19
58 Phytolacca octandra Waiakoali Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Kauai BISH 1930-08-22
59 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Kolekole Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. Oahu BISH 1939-06-08
60 Phytolacca octandra Kokee State Park, edge of wet forested area Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1050 Kauai BISH 1968-04-15
61 Phytolacca octandra Along Mohihi Rd., just before Kauaikinana Str Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 36 Kauai BISH 1982-10-16
62 Phytolacca octandra Base of Waianae Mountains; in pineapple field west of Schofield Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 3761 Oahu BISH 1945-10-28
63 Phytolacca octandra Kalaupapa; Puu Alii, tr 5 station 32 Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 399 Molokai BISH 2004-10-27
64 Phytolacca octandra Ohialele Pali Rich, wet clearing. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3301 Molokai BISH 1928-05-10
65 Phytolacca octandra Waimea. Pihea Trail, from Pihea Lookout S. along W. edge of Alakai Swamp Very wet mixed mesophytic forest with Metrosideros dominant Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5162 Kauai BISH 1987-04-08
66 Phytolacca octandra Lualualei Valley, about 1 mile east of Mauna Kuwale Moderately dry region; naturalized. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8893 Oahu BISH 1932-05-01
67 Phytolacca octandra Waimea District. Kawaiki, north-east of Waialae, past turn and junction to Drinking Glass. Along Stream below Drinding Glass. Next to stream. Metrosideros-Dicranopteris Wet Forest Rubus argutus, Rubus hawaiiensis, Diploterygium pinnatum, Ilex, Polyscias, Cheirodendron, Vaccinium calycinum, Melicope clusifolia, Dianella, Microlepia, Coprosma, Kadua affinis, Perrottetia sandwice Preserved_Specimen Tangalin, N. 2174 Kauai BISH 2009-09-02
68 Phytolacca octandra Alakai Swamp Trail, vicinity of 2nd bog common on exposed soil created by windthrown root plates of Metrosideros Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 161 Kauai BISH 1983-08-16
69 Phytolacca octandra Koele Naturalized in pasture. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28510 Lanai BISH 1963-07-30
70 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains; Honouliuli, Puu Hapapa Thicket near cultivated fields. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. Oahu BISH 1930-03-16
71 Phytolacca octandra Puu Ka Pele Forest Reserve; 2 km from S end of Contour Rd tree plantation Preserved_Specimen Annable, C.R. 3787 Kauai BISH 1998-02-02
72 Phytolacca octandra Waimea Arboretum Partially shaded. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 2836 Oahu BISH 1986-09-09
73 Phytolacca octandra Waianae Mountains, Puu Hapapa On grass slopes. Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. Oahu BISH 1932-06-01
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