Phytolacca acinosa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Phytolaccaceae |
Genus: | Phytolacca |
Species: | P. acinosa
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Binomial name | |
Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Phytolacca acinosa, the Indian pokeweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Phytolaccaceae.[2] It is native to temperate eastern Asia; the Himalayas, most of China, Vietnam to Japan, and has been widely introduced to Europe.[1] The species was originally described by William Roxburgh in 1814.[3][2]
When the species was originally described it was considered a plant located to Nepal.[3] Currently, the plant is considered native to countries surrounding the Himalayas and introduced to large parts of Europe and parts of the United States (Wisconsin).[1]
Indian pokeweed is a hyperaccumulator for manganese.[4][5]
The young shoots of Indian pokeweed are cooked and eaten by the Gurung people of western Nepal.[6] They are harvested in June and July.
Due to overlap in diagnostic feature Phytolacca acinosa can be confused with Phytolacca americana, Phytolacca latbenia or Phytolacca polyandra.[7]
Phytolacca acinosa is the source of four flavones,[8] four, oleanane derivatives,[9] and six triterpenoid saponins.[10]