Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Do you have any information about California Pokeweed?
QUESTION:
We have found in our garden a plant of which
we believe is called California Pokeweed. But I cannot find any
information on the plant.
ANSWER:
I am from California and I am familiar with a poisonous East Coast plant
known as pokeweed, which grows as an exotic weed in California, but I
don't know of anything called California Pokeweed. Any other common names?
Pokeweed leaves or shoots are sometimes boiled and drained a couple of
times and safely eaten, but otherwise it is quite poisonous and has
killed both children and adults with its array of irritants, mitogens,
alkaloids, sapponins and other toxins. Nasty stuff.
QUESTION:
another name it has is Thorn Apple...
So the best thing we could do is cut it down.
ANSWER:
Thorn apple is also given to several members of the solanaceae and datura...all
very poisonous, too.