Practical
Plants

Veratrum viride

Indian Poke

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

All parts of the plant are highly poisonous[1][12][2][16][17]. After the plant dies down in the autumn and has been frosted, the toxins decrease and the plant becomes harmless to animals[7].

Edible uses

One report says that the leaves have been used in soups[11]. The plant is highly toxic, so this use is probably best avoided[K].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Indian poke is a highly toxic plant that was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it mainly externally in the treatment of wounds, pain etc[11]. It is rarely used in modern herbalism, though it is of potential interest because it contains steroidal and other alkaloids and chelidonic acid. Some of these alkaloids lower blood pressure and dilate the peripheral vessels - they have, for example, been used in conventional medicine to treat high blood pressure and rapid heart beat[5][7][10]. Any use of this plant should be carried out with great caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[6]. Even when applied externally to unbroken skin it has been known to cause side-effects[10]. See also the notes above on toxicity The root is analgesic, diaphoretic, emetic. expectorant, febrifuge, narcotic and sedative[12][6][11]. It has been used in the treatment of acute cases of pneumonia, peritonitis and threatened apoplexy[9]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of chronic coughs and constipation[11]. A portion of the root has been chewed, or a decoction used, in the treatment of stomach pain[11]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[10]. The root has been used to make a skin wash and compresses for bruises, sprains and fractures[11]. The powdered root has been applied as a healing agent to wounds[5] and as a delousing agent[10]. The stems have been scraped and the powder snuffed to induce sneezing[11]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat aches and pains[11]. The plant is used in homeopathic preparations to slow the heart rate[10].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

The dried and powdered root is used as an insecticide and a parasiticide[14][15][7]. It is also effective against caterpillars and mammals so great caution is advised[1][2][3]. The roots have been grated, then added to the laundry water and used to clean clothing[11]. A fibre obtained from the stem is used for weaving wallets etc[18].

Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New England to Georgia, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Habitat
Swamps, moist meadows and low ground[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Unless stored in damp sand at around 4°c the seed has a short viability[4]. Where possible it is best to sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[4]. Stored seed needs to be stratified but can be very slow to germinate. Germination can be erratic even for seed sown when it was fresh, it usually takes place within 3 - 12 months at 15°c but can be much longer[4]. The plant produces just one seedleaf in its first year, this forms an over-wintering bulb. It takes up to 10 years for the plant to reach maturity[4]. Sow the seed thinly so there is no need to thin or transplant them, and grow the seedlings on undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Apply a liquid feed at intervals through the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. At the end of the second year plant out the dormant plants into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for a further year or two before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March/April or in October. Establish the plants in pots in a shaded frame before planting them out[4]. Division is best carried out in the autumn because the plants come into growth very early in the spring[8]. Root cuttings, 6mm long with a bud, rooted in a sandy soil in a cold frame[4].

Cultivation

Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil[4]. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade[4]. Dislikes dry soils, preferring to grow in a bog garden[13]. Grows best in a cool woodland garden or a north facing border[13]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8]. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention[8]. In some N. American Indian tribes, following the death of a chief, all the young aspirants to be chief were given a drink of this toxic plant and the person least affected was deemed to be the strongest and therefore made chief[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩1↩2

  3. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  5. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  13. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  16. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  17. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  18. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩

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