Phytolacca heterotepala
Mexican pokeweed
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Family: Phytolaccaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Phytolacca heterotepala (Mexican pokeweed) is a non-native California herb in the Phytolaccaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation and unequal sepals.
Mexican pokeweed is a naturalized perennial found in the central coastal region of San Francisco in disturbed areas at elevations of 10 to 60 meters. Flowering from summer to winter, this plant produces white flowers with green centers, small and delicate, arranged in open racemes up to 25 centimeters long. Growing to a robust height of 2.5 meters with multiple stems, it develops a substantial presence in its habitat. Its leaves are distinctive, with blades up to 13 centimeters long and 6 centimeters wide, ranging from lanceolate to ovate shapes with petioles extending to 5 centimeters. The plant produces distinctive purple-black fruits approximately 6 to 7 millimeters in diameter, containing shiny black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by geographic isolation and unequal sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 10-60 m
Outside California: Mexico, alien in Europe
Bloom period
Phytolacca heterotepala blooms Summer-winter.
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 heterotepala native to California?
No. Phytolacca heterotepala is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Phytolacca heterotepala bloom?
Phytolacca heterotepala blooms Summer-winter.
What plant family does Phytolacca heterotepala belong to?
Phytolacca heterotepala is in the Phytolaccaceae family, genus Phytolacca.
What habitat does Phytolacca heterotepala grow in?
Phytolacca heterotepala grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.