Elderberry
Culinary referenceElder is a woody shrub with compound leaves and flat berry clusters.
Toxic · do not eat
American pokeweed.
Phytolacca americana
Also found as Poke · Pokeberry
A large, magenta-stemmed perennial with hanging clusters of purple-black berries; toxic in every part.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Toxic. Keep out of food and tea.
Poison help Roots, mature stems, leaves and berries are poisonous. Traditional poke sallet uses specific preparation that does not make casual use safe.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 118,369
- People who recorded it
- 59,294
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Jul–Oct
- Records span
- 1970–2026
| January | 785 |
|---|---|
| February | 529 |
| March | 1248 |
| April | 7174 |
| May | 10073 |
| June | 13819 |
| July | 18456 |
| August | 22273 |
| September | 23869 |
| October | 14399 |
| November | 4027 |
| December | 1224 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Stout magenta to red stems up to three meters tall.
- 02
Large, smooth, oval leaves.
- 03
Drooping clusters of white flowers followed by dark purple berries.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Chokecherry
Extra care neededChokecherry is a shrub with woody branches and pitted cherries.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to eastern North America; naturalized in Europe and Asia.
Watch the plant stage
Hazard exists at every growth stage.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Observe. Leave intact.
Do not eat, brew, taste or collect for the pantry.
Care for the patch
Birds eat the berries; leave plants where they pose no risk to children.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Phytolacca americanaBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Phytolacca americanaTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction