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Phytolacca acinosa
  • Indian Poke

a perennial member of the Phytolacca genus in the family Phytolaccaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Phytolacca acinosa has 0 edible uses listed
Phytolacca acinosa has 0 material uses listed
Phytolacca acinosa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be safe to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. According to another report it is only a form with reddish purple flowers and a purple root that is poisonous[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - they must be cooked, and are then used as a spinach[2][3][4][5][6][7]. Only the young leaves should be used since the leaves become toxic with age. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute[3][6][7]. They have an excellent flavour[3]. Root - cooked[1]. Must be leeched first[8]. Only the white root of the white flowered form (if it exists![K]) should be eaten. See notes above.

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A red ink is obtained from the fruit[9].

Unknown part

Ink

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antidote, antifungal, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and vermifuge[10][1][11][12]. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug[12]. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division[12]. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis[12]. The root is used internally in the treatment of urinary disorders, nephritis, oedema and abdominal distension[12]. Externally, it is used to treat boils, carbuncles and sores[12]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[12]. All parts of the plant are toxic, this remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Unknown part

Antiasthmatic
Antibacterial
Antidote
Antifungal
Antitussive
Antiviral
Diuretic
Expectorant
Laxative
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame[13]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring.

Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Phytolacca acinosa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[2], though preferring a moisture retentive fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[13]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[14].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[13]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Often self sows when in a suitable position[13]. Cultivated for its edible leaves in India[2][5]. It is said that there are two forms of this plant, one with red flowers that has a poisonous root, whilst another with white flowers that has a white edible root. This white form is said to be cultivated for its edible root in parts of China[1] (I wonder if this is a mis-identification for another species? It could also be P. esculenta, which according to one report is a synonym of P. acinosa esculenta and is said to have an edible root[K]).

Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Phytolacca acinosa. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Phytolacca acinosa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Phytolacca acinosa
Genus
Phytolacca
Family
Phytolaccaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][1][8]
Medicinal uses
[10][1][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
[9]
Botanic
[5][13][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Phytolacca acinosa fruits01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Phytolacca acinosa fruits01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Phytolacca acinosa fruits01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Phytolacca_acinosa&oldid=79337"
    Facts about "Phytolacca acinosa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPhytolaccaceae +
    Belongs to genusPhytolacca +
    Has binomial namePhytolacca acinosa +
    Has common nameIndian Poke +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imagePhytolacca acinosa fruits01.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useInk +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiasthmatic +, Antibacterial +, Antidote +, Antifungal +, Antitussive +, Antiviral +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Laxative + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imagePhytolacca acinosa fruits01.jpg +
    Has search namephytolacca acinosa + and indian poke +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePhytolacca acinosa +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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