Phytolacca americana var. americana
Pokeweed, Pokeweed
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Family: Phytolaccaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Phytolacca americana var. americana (Pokeweed) is a non-native California herb in the Phytolaccaceae family, recognized by stamen number (10 vs 12-30) and sepal equality.
Pokeweed is a naturalized perennial found in California's Central Valley and Foothills in disturbed areas and roadsides at elevations generally below 1,000 meters. Flowering from summer to fall, this plant produces white to pink flowers in spreading or drooping racemes up to 30 centimeters long. Growing to an impressive 3 to 7 meters tall with multiple stems, it develops a robust and sprawling habit. Its large leaves are lanceolate to ovate, measuring 8 to 35 centimeters long and 3 to 18 centimeters wide, with petioles 1 to 6 centimeters in length. The plant produces distinctive purple-black fruits 6 to 11 millimeters in diameter, which contain shiny black, lenticular seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by stamen number (10 vs 12-30) and sepal equality
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, roadsides
Elevation: generally < 1000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Sonoma, Butte, Tehama, Ventura, San Diego, Placer, Mendocino, Riverside, Sacramento, Shasta, Solano
Outside California: native to eastern United States
Bloom period
Phytolacca americana var. americana blooms Summer-fall.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Nicotiana: Pokeweed has dense flower spikes and purple berries; tobacco has tubular flowers and dry capsules.; vs Persicaria: Pokeweed grows to 10 feet with huge leaves; smartweed is typically low-growing with much smaller leaves.; vs Prunus: Pokeweed has herbaceous stems and berry spikes; cherries are woody with single-stoned fruits.; vs Amaranthus: Pokeweed has broad prominently-veined leaves; amaranth has narrower leaves with less prominent veins.; vs Rumex: Pokeweed has broad oval leaves and purple berries; dock has lance-shaped leaves and papery winged fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phytolacca americana var. americana native to California?
No. Phytolacca americana var. americana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Phytolacca americana var. americana bloom?
Phytolacca americana var. americana blooms Summer-fall.
Where in California does Phytolacca americana var. americana grow?
Phytolacca americana var. americana occurs in Los Angeles, Sonoma, Butte, Tehama, Ventura, San Diego, Placer, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of generally < 1000 m.
What plant family does Phytolacca americana var. americana belong to?
Phytolacca americana var. americana is in the Phytolaccaceae family, genus Phytolacca.
Is Phytolacca americana var. americana invasive in California?
Phytolacca americana var. americana is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.