Poke Weed
(Phytolacca americana)

Other common names for this shrub are pokeberry, inkberry and pigeonberry.  It is called inkberry because the crimson juice was used as ink or as a die.

Poke stems and leaves were worm by supporters of James K Polk when he was a candidate for president.

Although birds eat the seeds of poke weed with no bad effects, all parts of this plant are poisonous to livestock.  This fast growing shrub can be found in waste places, low wooded areas, fence rows and stream banks.