Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a robust perennial potherb native to the eastern United States. It belongs to the pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae), a small family found mostly in Africa and the New World. In addition to pokeweed, it also includes several enormous South American trees and some unusual serpentine vines of the tropics. Poke is derived from the Algonquian Indian word "pakon" or "puccoon," referring to a dye plant used for staining. It is sometimes spelled polk and the leaves were reportedly worn by enthusiastic supporters during the campaign of James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States. The generic name Phytolacca is derived from the Greek word phyton (plant) and the French lac (lake--a dark red pigment), referring to the crimson juice of ripe berries. Pokeweed may grow to nine feet tall, with large, alternate leaves and a carrotlike taproot. It may become a very invasive weed in southern California gardens and is difficult to eradicate when it becomes well-established. Greenish-white flowers are produced in long clusters (racemes) that droop due to the weight of ripening fruit. The flattened berries change from green to shiny purplish-black. Ripe berries yield a crimson juice that was used as a substitute for red ink and to enhance the color of pale wines. The coloring of wine with pokeweed berries has been discouraged because they are very poisonous.
Just a note: This series is all from previous years, but I see I am getting searches related to yellow flowers in Arkansas. Our two most dominant yellow flowers, beyond the little roadside ragworts are Tickseed and the Willow-leaf sunflower. I've got great newer images of both but will post when I have time. Until then
Willow leaf: 14 bracks (yellow petals) overall flat look to the bloom
Ticks seed: 8 bracks, cup shaped,
More to come
All images, late September, Early October (2003/04)
http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/bidensaris.html
Bidens polylepis (?)
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/ts_sunflower.htm
http://www.pbase.com/1designguy/image/33539701
A quick look at the Internet shows that there are actually dozens of flowers that are called Tickseed, though I think this one is most commonly identified as such. (Some of the plants that hold this name are members of the same family, while sometimes the title seems loosely applied to any kind of yellow daisy.
Like the Willow-leaf Sunflower, this member of the sunflower family grows in big hedgey bunches, and is a dominate part of Arkansas's Indian-summer landscape. It might be indistinguishable from the Willow-leaf sunflower except for these attributes: the Tickseed sunflower has 8 petals, opposed to the Willow-leaf's fourteen. Beyond that, the bloom has a notable cup shape, and the leaves are slightly thicker with a jagged edge.
Posts
All Comments
