Pokeweed grows as a shrub, up to 9 feet/3 meters high. It has single alternate leaves, pointed at the end, with crinkled edges. Stems are often colored pink or red.
The flowers are greenish-white, in long clusters at the ends of the stems. They develop into dark purple berries.
Pokeweed contains phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin, which are poisonous to mammals. However, the berries are eaten by birds, which are apparently not affected by the toxin.
Young pokeweed leaves can be boiled twice to remove the toxin, discarding the water after the first boiling. The result is known as poke salet and is occasionally available commercially. However, some authorities advise against eating pokeweed even after twice boiling, as traces of the toxin may still remain.
Pokeweed is used as a homeopathic remedy to treat tonsilitis and swollen glands.