close up of the flowers
the ripening berries

 

Poke is derived from the Algonquian Indian word "pakon" or "puccoon," referring to a dye plant used for staining.

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The flattened berries change from green to shiny purplish-black. Ripe berries yield a crimson juice that was used as a substitute for red ink and to enhance the color of pale wines. The coloring of wine with pokeweed berries has been discouraged because they are very poisonous.