Wildflower of the valley
Himalayan Pokeberry, Indian Poke weed
Phytolacca acinosa
- How easy to find
- Rare — you will see it only in some places
- Flower size
- Large
- Family
- Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)
- Local name
- Jagra, Jagrya
- Height
- 70 cm
- Flower colour
- green
- Flowering
- June to September
About Himalayan Pokeberry, Indian Poke weed
Phytolacca acinosa is a succulent, hairless shrublet of height 70 cm to 1.5cm. Flowers are small and white tinged with green, crowded with in a leaf opposed, cylindrical. Fruits are purple when get ripen.
Where to find it
- Near the entrance of the valley
- In the middle of the valley
Habitat
Shruberries, waste places and waysides.
Uses & folklore
Locally the plant is used to get relief from body pain. Leaves and twigs are used as vegetable. Pharmacologically the plant is accredited with antiasthmatic, antifungal, expectorant, antibacterial and laxative properties.
What the name means
Phytolacca is Greek phyton (plant) + Latin lacca (a red dye); acinosa means "berry-like".
