Phytolacca japonica is a species of flowering plant in the pokeweed family, Phytolaccaceae. It native to eastern Asia, where it is found in China and Japan (from the Kantō region westward). Its natural habitat is in forests edges, in ravines and along riversides.
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Is it poisonous?
Considered toxic. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. The note covers its whole genus. Leaves, berries, and roots contain phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin. The toxicity of young leaves can be reduced with repeated boiling and draining. Ingestion of poisonous parts of the plant may cause severe stomach… Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Phytolacca polyandra — considered toxic
- Phytolacca acinosa — considered toxic
- Phytolacca thyrsiflora — considered toxic
- Phytolacca rugosa — considered toxic
- Phytolacca sandwicensis — considered toxic
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Phytolaccaceae
- Genus
- Phytolacca
- Species
- Phytolacca japonica
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