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Phytolacca americana

Species category

Weed

Common name

American pokeweed, pokeweed, inkberry, pigeonberry, pokeberry, common pokeweed, phytolaque d'Amérique, poke

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvateOvate:
Egg-shaped with basal end the broadest.
 and lenticularLenticular:
Lens-shaped, circular in outline with convex sides.

Size

  • Length 2.8–3 mm
  • Width 2.8–3 mm
  • Thickness 1.5–1.7 mm

Color

Black

Texture

Shiny

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 protrudes from disc margin.

Identification notes

Fragments of transparent tissue may adhere to the seed surface.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Phytolaccaceae

Valid name

Phytolacca americana L.

Phytolacca americana. True seeds, some with fragments of transparent tissue that may adhere to the seed surface.
Phytolacca americana. True seeds, some with fragments of transparent tissue that may adhere to the seed surface.