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Pest SolutionsPESTS + WEEDSUSING PESTICIDES OR HERBICIDES?
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Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Updated Oct 27, 2024
Make a Positive Identification
Species: Pokeweed
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Pokeweed often matures into a shrub or small tree. But it is not woody and dies back with the onset of winter.
Species: Pokeweed
"Phytolacca americana leaf" by John Tann is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Each leaf is 5–20 inches long. The leaves are about one third as wide as they are long. They alternate along the stem. The leaves smell bad when crushed.
Species: Pokeweed
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Stems grow two to eight feet each year from a white, fleshy root. They are colored green, red, or purple. The hollow stems are smooth and grow up to 4 inches across.
Species: Pokeweed
"Phytolacca americana flowers" by John Tann is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Tiny white-green flowers develop in early summer. The flower cluster often grows opposite a leaf. Each blossom has five round, modified leaves (sepals) that look like petals.
Species: Pokeweed
"Phytolacca americana #5" by J.G. in S.F. is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The flowers mature into green berries. In late summer or early fall, berries turn dark purple. The berries occur as a drooping bunch that resembles a grape cluster as shown in the photo. Birds eat the berries and scatter the seeds. New plants grow from the seeds.
Species: Pokeweed
Ohio State Weed Lab, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Pokeweed seedlings have alternate leaves. The leaves are red on the underside. Shoots emerge from established root crowns in the spring. The shoots resemble seedlings, but are thicker and clustered together as shown in the photo.
LOOK-ALIKE: KNOTWEED (INVASIVE)
Species: Knotweed (Invasive)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Knotweed (invasive) looks like pokeweed. Both plants have hollow, red stems and large leaves of similar shape. Knotweed flowers are smaller and more abundant. The flowers grow upward along the stem. Pokeweed differs with drooping flower bunches and fruit. Knotweed does not form large, fleshy berries.
Different risks or methods
If you have knotweed (invasive) on property your manage, take action to control it right away.
Pokeweed Benefits
Pokeweed is meaningful to Native American cultures in the Southeastern United States. It is used as a traditional food, dye, and medicine.
Even though pokeweed is poisonous to people, it is sometimes eaten. It requires special preparation to remove the toxins. Without proper preparation, pokeweed poisoning can occur. Ingestion of any part of pokeweed is not recommended.
Pokeweed Risks
- Pokeweed has escaped from gardens. It is spreading throughout urban areas. The seeds are spread by birds.
- All parts of pokeweed are poisonous to people, pets, and livestock. Ingestion of any part of pokeweed is not recommended.
Risk Card
Does it cause harm?
Adults & Children
High
All parts of pokeweed are poisonous to people.
Property
Some
Spreads rapidly by seed
Pets
High
All parts of pokeweed are poisonous to pets and livestock.
Annoyance
High
Spreading to new locations
Environment
High
Dominates areas where it is allowed to establish
Action Highly Recommended
Take action to report and control this invasive weed.
Take Action
If you have pokeweed on property you manage, report it. Take action to control it right away.
Do I need to take action?
- Yes. Report the plant location.
- If pokeweed grows in your landscape, take steps to remove it. Look for new plants coming in with bird droppings.
- Pokeweed is currently sold by nurseries and online. Don’t buy this invasive species or plant it in your landscape.
- Don’t dig, divide, and transport plants or soil from property that contains pokeweed plants.
What if I do nothing?
- Pokeweed is spreading across the Pacific Northwest, especially in urban areas.
- All parts of pokeweed are poisonous to people, pets, and livestock.
Help may be available to control pokeweed on your property
Pokeweed is considered an EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) species. Agencies across the Pacific Northwest are coordinating efforts to manage known populations and limit the spread of this invasive plant.
Prevent Pokeweed
Ohio State Weed Lab, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Look for Pokeweed Regrowth and Seedlings
- If more pokeweed grows in the area, new seeds could be deposited by birds.
- Look for pokeweed seedlings as shown in the photo.
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Replant the Affected Area
- After controlling pokeweed, consider replanting the area. Replanting is needed when common pokeweed growth or removal significantly damages a site and few or no desirable plants remain.
- Create a multi-year revegetation plan. Plans include site preparation and planting details, plant care, and follow-up control for pokeweed and other weeds.
- Plan for at least 2–3 years of monitoring and maintenance.
- Your local extension specialist, soil and water conservation district, or a professional revegetation specialist can suggest strategies for your area.
Solutions for Pokeweed
Early Detection and Rapid Response
- Watch for pokeweed on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.
Physical Removal of Plants and Non-Chemical Methods
- Pull seedlings and new plants out of the ground.
Herbicides (Weed Killers)
- Herbicides effectively control pokeweed when used according to label directions.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
- After management activities, especially removal with hand tools, return to the area during the growing season.
- Look for regrowth and seedlings. Take action as needed.
NEED HELP?
Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.
Jump to
| Method | Does it work? | Is it safe? | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
A Physically Remove |
Effective |
Low risk |
Recommended |
B Control with Herbicides |
Effective |
Moderate risk |
Use if Necessary |
|
C If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
|
A
Physically Remove
Non-Chemical Method
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Physically Remove
Recommended
- Hand-pull seedlings and small plants.
- Cut off the flowers or berry clusters before they ripen. Put the flowers and berries in the trash.
| Does it work? | Effective
|
| How much effort? | High effort Remove as much of the root mass as possible. Dispose of the plants in the trash. |
| What's the risk? | Low risk |
| Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals | NONE |
Pulling or hand digging is practical for seedlings or individual plants of pokeweed.
Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org
Ohio State Weed Lab, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
POKEweed Removal Tips
- Cut off stems that re-sprout from remaining roots.
- Dispose of stems, leaves, and roots in the green waste stream, or compost them.
- Cut off flowers and berries. Put the flowers, berries, and seeds in a sealed plastic bag. Dispose of the bag in the trash.
Soil Disturbance and Erosion
- Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible to prevent seed germination.
- Regrade the soil after digging pokeweed roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
- Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
- Replant the area to keep seeds in the soil from germinating.
B
Control with Herbicides
Chemical Method: Use with caution
Chameleonseye, iStock
Control with Herbicides
Use if Necessary
| Does it work? | Effective
|
| How much effort? | Moderate effort Monitor the area for regrowth and re-treat every year, if needed. |
| What's the risk? | Moderate risk
|
| Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals | El uso de herbicidas conlleva cierto grado de riesgo. El riesgo más bajo se presenta con el uso de métodos alternativos. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you:
Follow directions closely to reduce risk. |
Some herbicides are available for home use. Some are listed below. These active ingredients, used individually or in a mixture, are suggested chemical treatments to control pokeweed. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.
- Glyphosate
- Triclopyr
Suggested active ingredients are from the Pesticide Information Center Online (PICOL) Database. They are permitted for HOME use in Oregon. Read the label for application directions and effectiveness information.
ONLY professional pesticide applicators can use Restricted-Use Pesticides (RUP) that may be more effective. For larger stands of pokeweed contact a licensed pesticide applicator with experience controlling pokeweed.
Herbicide Application Tips
- These ingredients will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.
- Apply herbicide to pokeweed when it is actively growing. Treat it before fruits develop to minimize seed production.
- Good coverage of foliage is critical for success.
- Pokeweed may take several months to die after an herbicide application.
- Monitor the area for regrowth and re-treat every year, if needed.
Minimize the potential impact of herbicides to bees and other pollinators. Treat pokeweed plants before or after they flower. If plants are blooming when you need to treat them, apply in the morning or evening when bees are less active. Avoid spraying pollinators directly. For more information, see OSU’s How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
Chemical Method: Use with Caution
BrianLasenby, iStock
Why is it important to read herbicide labels?
- They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
- They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
- They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
- Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.
Key Herbicide Safety Tips
- Read the entire label front to back.
- Follow the instructions.
- Review the instructions even for brands you know.
- Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
- Be precise in your application. More is not better.
The Label is the Law
ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.
READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.
- Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
- Use a magnifying glass for small print.
- Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
- Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
- The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.
Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants
- Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
- Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
- Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
- Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.
Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.
- Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
- Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
- Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.
Protect Pollinators
- Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
- Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
- Do not spray on bees or insects.
Protect Plants You Want to Keep
- Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
- Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
- Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.
Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.
- Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
- Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
- Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
- Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.
Don’t Spray into Water
- It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
- You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.
Storage & Disposal
- Store in a secure area away from children.
- Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
- Never pour down any drain or waterway.
- Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.
Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.
For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website
More about:
About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon
If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).
NEED HELP?
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) can answer questions about pest control chemicals.
1-800-858-7378 or npic@ace.orst.edu
Consider using a licensed pest or weed control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.
Invasive Species Alert
- Invasives are non-native species that spread aggressively and alter the environment.
- Controlling pokeweed is costly.
- Please do your part to control it on property you manage. It can spread beyond your property and have an adverse impact on your neighbors.
If you think you’ve found pokeweed (invasive) in the grey areas of this map, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at: 1-866-INVADER (1-888-468-2337) or use their online reporting form
Invasive species data @ 2022, iMapInvasives (NatureServe)
View Larger Map >
The map shows the distribution of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) in Oregon. If you find pokeweed in a new area (orange shows already reported cases), please report it.
Content provided by editor Weston Miller and writers Signe Danler and J. Jeremiah Mann. Pesticide safety information edited by Kaci Buhl.
Peer review facilitated by OSU Department of Horticulture.
POKEWEED REFERENCES
Common Pokeweed Identification and Management
Penn State Extension
Common Pokeweed
Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States, UC Davis
American Pokeweed
4-County Cooperative Weed Management Agency