Pokeweed (_Phytolacca americana_) is a native plant of frequent
occurrence in moist, rich soil along fences and in uncultivated land
throughout the eastern half of the United States. The root, which is
perennial, sends up large annual stems, sometimes attaining a height of
8 or 9 feet. This plant bears numerous long clusters of smooth, shining
purple berries, very attractive in appearance, but the seeds are said
to be poisonous. Both the root and the berries are used in medicine.
Pokeweed thrives in deep, rich soils well supplied with moisture and
may be readily grown from seed sown early in the spring in rows 4 feet
apart and barely covered. The seedlings may be thinned to stand about 3
feet apart in the rows. Cultivation should be shallow, though frequent.
The plant develops a long, thick, and fleshy root, which when old is
not easily harvested and may have to be dug by hand. If the roots of
plants grown from seed are harvested at the end of the first year,
they may be turned out by means of a deep-running plow without great
difficulty. As soon as they are dug the roots are cleaned by washing
and are usually cut into lengthwise or transverse slices for drying.
They should be thoroughly dried, and if a large quantity is to be
handled the use of artificial heat will be found desirable.
A yield of about 600 pounds of dry root per acre may be expected at the
end of the first year, or three or four times as much from plants of
the second year's growth. In the second year several hundred pounds of
berries may also be obtained from 1 acre.
Before the war, collectors received from 2 to 3 cents a pound for the
roots and berries. The price in June, 1920, for the dry, cut root was
about 6 cents and for the dry berries 15 cents a pound. Apparently
there is but a small demand for either of these products.