Phytolacca rivinoides
Kunth & C. D. Bouche
Venezuela pokeberry
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPhytolacca rivinoides, also known by its common name Venezuelan pokeweed, is a species of shrub in the family Phytolaccaceae.
Description
A scrambling or climbing herb. From a woody base it has shoots 5 m long. The leaves are narrowly oval and 9-17 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 15-50 cm long. The fruit are berries 2-6 mm across. The seeds are small and black.
Edible Uses
Young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, and dried leaves are boiled for tea. The fruit are also eaten.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are boiled and used for tea. Caution: Plants in this group can have toxic components.
Medicinal Uses
The juice of the roots is purgative. A decoction is drunk in the treatment of syphilis. The juice of the fruits is purgative. The leaves and young stem are eaten as a treatment for diabetes. Liquid from the leaves crushed in water is rubbed onto hair to kill lice, fleas and to treat dandruff. A decoction of the boiled leaves is used as a wash for treating fevers. The plant (part unspecified) is used for treating rabies, lung diseases and tumours. The plant contains carbomethoxy oleanolic acid.
Known Hazards
Plants in this group can have toxic components.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical America. It grows in lower mountain rainforest. It can grow up to 2,600 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Argentina, Asia, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America*, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greater Antilles, Grenada, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, St Kitts, St Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies*,
Cultivation
The seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years until light and temperature allow them to germinate.
Other Uses
The roots contain saponins and are sometimes used as a substitute for soap. The liquid obtained from the leaves crushed in water is rubbed onto the hair in order to kill lice and fleas.
Other Information
It is cultivated.
Notes
There are 25 Phytolacca species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Agouman, Agouman bef, Airombo, Atosaram Babarro, Bakalau tape, Boho, Callaloo, Deer calalu, Finchunu tape, Guanchaparron, Guaparron, Hatun chukllu, Hatun sara, Huahuara, Izenna, Jaboncillo, Jabon panka, Joklhkgk, Jorga, Lang bef, Mapanke'an, Quelite rojo, Sega, Soga, Tilba pata, Tuta yuyu, Wampakar, Wataraku, Yahmolli noso totolkilitl, Yakibe, Yocoto, Yukutu
References (31)
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