[ noun ] perennial of the genus Phytolacca <noun.plant>
Pokeweed \Poke"weed`\, n. (Bot.) See {Poke}, the plant.
Poke \Poke\, n. (Bot.) A large North American herb of the genus {Phytolacca} ({Phytolacca decandra}), bearing dark purple juicy berries; -- called also {garget}, {pigeon berry}, {pocan}, and {pokeweed}. The root and berries have emetic and purgative properties, and are used in medicine. The young shoots are sometimes eaten as a substitute for asparagus, and the berries are said to be used in Europe to color wine.