Spotter confirms pokeweed thriving along a New Jersey roadside
iNaturalist: aceofboas
Native Plants
That tall, berry-heavy plant with reddish stems popping up along fences and disturbed ground near you is pokeweed, a native powerhouse that feeds dozens of bird species even though every part of it is toxic to humans and pets.
Someone out for a walk in Clementon, New Jersey noticed a pokeweed plant and snapped a photo good enough for experts to confirm the species. Pokeweed is that big, floppy plant with purple-black berries and hot pink stems you see taking over vacant lots and roadsides every summer. It's native to North America and birds love the berries, but the whole plant is poisonous to people, so admire it rather than taste it.
Key Findings
Observation was verified as research-grade, meaning the identification is confirmed by community consensus on iNaturalist
Location documented: E Kennedy Dr, Clementon, New Jersey, US
Species confirmed: Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed), a plant native to eastern North America
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist spotted and confirmed a healthy American pokeweed plant growing along a roadside in Clementon, New Jersey. The sighting adds another verified data point to public records tracking where this native plant grows.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) observed in E Kennedy Dr, Clementon, NJ, US
Research-grade observation of American pokeweed in E Kennedy Dr, Clementon, NJ, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Phytolacca americana, also known as American pokeweed, pokeweed, poke sallet, pokeberry, dragonberries, pigeonberry weed, and inkberry, is a poisonous, herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae. This pokeweed grows 1 to 3 metres. It has simple leaves on green to red or purp...