What's Blooming at Bear Run in August?

Pokeweed or inkberry (Phytolacca americana) is a tall, large-leaved, branching plant with reddish stems and long clusters of small, white flowers which appear July through September. Preferred habitat is open woods, damp thickets, clearings and roadsides. This is a frequent herbaceous plant in Pennsylvania. Much of the plant is poisonous, especially the berries and roots; although, emerging spring leaves can be gathered before the pink color appears, cooked and eaten as greens if boiled in two changes of water to remove the poisonous properties. The berry juice was used as a dye by the early colonists, and to improve cheap wine. Today, it is a play item for children making bright magenta ink.

Visit Bear Run Nature Reserve and look for pokeweed along Tissue Lane (Peninsula Trail), part of the 20 miles of hiking trails available to the public. The fruit of pokeweed is relished by numerous birds, and the berries persist into early winter.

What's blooming at Bear Run is a monthly WPC Daily feature. Today's photo was take by Denise Miner, WPC public tour manager.

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