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Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.
| Family Name: | Phytolaccaceae |
| Synonyms: | Phytolacca pekinensis, Sarcoca acinosa, Phytolacca esculenta |
| Common Name: | Pokeweed, Indian Poke, Sweet Belladonna, Sarangun, Matazor, 商陆, 白母鸡, 土人参 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 1.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bhutan, India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Indochina |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous shrub, up to 1.5m height when grown in ground. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves elliptical, with papery texture. |
| Stems | Green or reddish-purple, fleshy, with longitudinal grooves. |
| Flowers | White, clustered in raceme inflorescences, often as long as the leaves. |
| Fruit | Small berries (7mm across), produced in infrutescences, ripen from green to purplish-black, containing red juice, and small 3-angled seeds, usually eaten and dispersed by seeds. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Roots: Thick and fleshy. |
| Habitat | Often found as weed in valleys, hillsides, understorey and margins of forests, moist roadsides and cultivated land. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Herb and Spice) (Fruit & Vegetable) Others: Food: Young leaves cooked and eaten as vegetable. Avoid older leaves, which are toxic. Young shoots used as asparagus substitute, said to possess excellent flavour. Roots soaked and rinsed repeatedly before being cooked -- only those from white-flowered forms are edible, as roots from reddish-purple flowers are reported to be toxic. Aromatic fruits eaten. Medicinal: Plant contains anti-inflammatory agents and antiviral proteins, being investigated as potential anti-AIDS drug. Roots applied to boils and sores, and consumed to treat urinary disorders and abdominal distension. Whole plant considered to be toxic, so never use plant for self-medication without proper medical supervision. Products: Red ink obtained from fruits. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Phytoremediation (Ground / Water Contaminant(s)) |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1133 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2426 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |