Pokeweed a poisonous and yet consumed North American plant with good biomedical potential

Native mostly to Eastern North America, pokeweed, Phytolacca americana was introduced as ornamental and is now widely naturalized outside of its native range.
A poisonous plant that can poison or intoxicate farm animals, avoided by most herbivores, while wild birds (its main seed dispersers) and other small mammals can eat its enticing looking berries.
Young leaves are consumed in North America, and its berries and roots were used to make ink and textile dyes.
Its chemical components are of interest to biomedical research for their lectins that can stimulate B-cell proliferation and are used for immunodeficiency diagnostic test, and immunotherapy. Its broad-spectrum antiviral proteins and antifungal properties are also of great interest to biomedical research.
Otherwise, a wild plant with its roles in its native range ecosystems.

[@fugueine]

thank you for the plant spotlight. Your presentation was perfect with no unnecessary youtube fanfare. I really appreciate your format.

[@ioanatalkplants]

Dear Fugueine, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you finding and watching this video and taking the time to let me know. You made my day 🙏❤

[@prophet.jeremiah]

Pokeweed is one of my favorite natives. Anyone annoyed at her persistence should appreciate her role as a first healer of disturbed land. Way to go!

[@fugueine]

Thank you for leaving this comment. It's really good to know that pokeweed is a pioneer species.

[@ioanatalkplants]

excellent point, Jeremiah
thank you so much for sharing
glad to know that pokeweed is also appreciated it as native not only as an exotic in far away botanical gardens... what is common is less appreciated