Not a plant one sees very commonly in the PNW. But it is apparently becoming quite problematic in Multnomah County.

I had one pop up in my front yard a few years ago, haven't gotten rid of it yet. 2008 edition of Jacobson, Wild Plants of Greater Seattle deemed the species "naturalized; rare" at that time. 10 years later the Second Edition of Flora of the Pacific Northwest (University of Washington Press, Seattle) was listing "gardens, fields, roadsides, and wastelots" as locations for it "w Cas, sw BC to CA".

The important thing about random examples in view of and within reach of the unwary is that the berries are quite poisonous to humans. Look how those in the above picture are even being borne in a down-pointing manner, as though actually trying to appeal to small children.

it is poisonous in all aspects ... there are work arounds to that ... but that isnt my point ....

the only real problem is the seeds will end up looking like little grape clusters. which might attract children ... so if you have any around who stick things in their mouth ... get rid of it ...

its perennial ... and it has a huge root that might be hard to kill ... any piece left.. will probably come back ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Phytolacca+americana&t=ffcm&ia=images&iax=images

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=poke+weed+roots&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

I'm in Multnomah County, Yes, it is becoming a problem. Just started seeing it last few years. Neighbor's spread to my yard. It is a real PITA to get rid of. I think I've been digging for three years now and still not rid of it. Really big tap root.

FYI still trying to eradicate it from my yard in 2023!

That is a lot of work for you caused by a neighbour's plant! I hope they get rid of it at some point.

I visited a public garden in Cornwall, the other day and spotted my first ever pokeweed, a good 6' tall. I can't say I was impressed.

Question. Has anyone tried drilling holes in the root and filling with 360 g/l glyphosate?

Yesterday I saw a British gardening program where the well know author and TV presenter Monty Don was visiting a large perennial garden where this plant was being cultivated in the border. He had never seen it before. I fear the garden owner is in for an unpleasant surprise down the road!

I've seen it used in herbaceous borders here. You can buy the seeds quite easily. I have a low opinion of Monty Don and I am not surprised at his ignorance. PW is not problematical here. It only very rarely appears outside cultivation, usually where garden rubbish has been dumped.

Phytolacca has between 20 - 35 species. Some of the species are grown as ornamentals. They all are recognizable as being in the same genus.

Thanks Jay! I had no idea that there was a caudiciform tree in the genus!

I believe we had it once on Name that Plant. Surprised me too but it was recognisably a relation.

The pokeweed tree reminds me of something that I saw the other day. It's the Ironweed Tree, Vernonia/Protocalyx arboria. Also I never realized that papayas are brassicales.

Vernonia/Protocalyx arboria

Vernonia/Protocalyx arborea

"Quite poisonous" is unnecessarily alarmist. If you don't want it, pour boiling water on the tuber and it will be killed.