This bird-planted pokeweed (from the Native American puccoon) is growing up beside our deck. Yes, it's a weed but as Autumn comes on, its stems turn a gorgeous deep fuchsia and those little white flowers become glossy purple-black berries that the birds devour. I find it quite beautiful.
The plant and berries and especially the roots are toxic though there is a tradition of using the young stems and leaves for food. Safe preparation involves three to five boiling water baths.
I've never eaten poke so can't comment on whether it's worth the trouble if you're not desperate for greens. Some folks regard it as medicinal. I can't comment on that either.I have crushed the berries and made a kind of ink -- a gorgeous fuchsia color which soon fades to brown. Mainly though, I just enjoy the way poke looks.
