What part of pokeweed is poisonous?

Q: Is it poisonous to touch pokeweed?

When applied to the skin: Pokeweed is LIKELY UNSAFE. Dont touch pokeweed with your bare hands. Chemicals in the plant can pass through the skin and affect the blood. If you must handle pokeweed, use protective gloves.

American nightshade poisoning; Inkberry poisoning; Pigeon Berry poisoning; Pokeberry poisoning; Scoke poisoning; Virginia poke poisoning; Poke salad poisoning

Table of Contents Show

Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
Before Calling Emergency
Poison Control
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
Outlook (Prognosis)
References
Version Info
Is it poisonous to touch pokeweed?
What should I do if I touched pokeweed?
What happens if you touch a pokeweed berry?
What part of the pokeweed can you eat?

Pokeweed is a flowering plant. Pokeweed poisoning occurs when someone eats pieces of this plant.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Poisonous ingredients include:

Phytolaccatoxin
Phytolaccigenin

Where Found

The highest amounts of poison are found in the roots, leaves, and stems. Small amounts are in the fruit.

Cooked berries and leaves (cooked twice in separate water) can technically be eaten. However, this is not recommended because there is no guarantee that they are safe. The roots should never be eaten.

Symptoms most often appear within 6 hours of ingestion.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Convulsions (seizures)
Diarrhea, sometimes hemorrhagic (bloody)
Headache
Loss of consciousness (unresponsiveness)
Low blood pressure
Muscle spasms
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid pulse
Slow or difficult breathing
Stomach pain
Weakness

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider.

Before Calling Emergency

Get the following information:

Person's age, weight, and condition
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
Name and part of the plant that was eaten, if known

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does not need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The provider will measure and monitor person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

Activated charcoal
Blood and urine tests
Breathing support, including oxygen through a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine (ventilator)
Chest x-ray
ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
Fluids by IV (through the vein)
Medicines to treat symptoms
Laxatives

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Deaths have been reported. Improper cooking of leaves or eating some of the roots with the leaves can cause serious poisoning. Eating more than 10 uncooked berries can cause serious problems in children.

DO NOT touch or eat any plant with which you are not familiar. Wash your hands after working in the garden or walking in the woods.

References

Aronson JK. Phytolaccaceae. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier B.V.; 2016:758-758.

Auerbach PS. Wild plant and mushroom poisoning. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Medicine for the Outdoors. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:374-404.

Graeme KA. Toxic plant ingestions. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 65.

Version Info

Last reviewed on: 11/13/2021

Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Pokeweed is a perennial that grows wild throughout the eastern half of the United States. It has a green or red center stalk with oblong leaves. The small berries grow in “grape-like clusters” and ripen from green to purple in the summer. The juices of the ripe berries leave a purple stain when handled which may attract young children. The entire plant is potentially toxic. The root is the most toxic and the ripe berries the least toxic. Potentially toxic doses are as little as 0.5 teaspoonful of the root and 10 or more of the berries. The active components of pokeweed include phytolacca toxin (and related triterpene saponins) and mitogens. The phytolacca toxin and other saponins can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and produce a “foamy” diarrhea. GI symptoms such as an oral burning sensation, vomiting, or diarrhea are the most common symptoms following pokeweed ingestion. The vomiting and diarrhea may be significant enough to produce dehydration. Less commonly reported symptoms include headache, salivation, visual disturbances and possibly seizures, and are most likely actually resulting from untreated dehydration. Symptoms following ingestion are self-limiting.

Many people cook pokeweed in the same way they cook other “greens” such as turnip greens. This is common in rural areas of the south and it is referred to as “poke salad”, sometimes spelled “poke sallat”. The leaves are boiled for 5 minutes, the water is discarded, fresh water is added, and the mixture is brought to a second boil. This double boiling reportedly will destroy the toxin. However, there are several reports of people developing gastrointestinal symptoms following this cooking method. Cooked ripe pokeberries are considered edible and are sometimes used to make pies.

As always, if there are any questions, call the MTPC.

I am interested in any questions that you would like answered in “Question of the Week.” Please e-mail me with any suggestions at

Donna Seger, M.D.
Medical Director
Middle Tennessee Poison Center

Is it poisonous to touch pokeweed?

When applied to the skin: Pokeweed is LIKELY UNSAFE. Don't touch pokeweed with your bare hands. Chemicals in the plant can pass through the skin and affect the blood. If you must handle pokeweed, use protective gloves.

What should I do if I touched pokeweed?

Unless severe, pokeweed rash can usually be treated at home. Treat it as you would poison oak by washing the skin thoroughly as soon as possible after exposure. Avoid scratching and apply calamine lotion to help dry and heal the injured skin.

What happens if you touch a pokeweed berry?

Touching pokeweed berries may cause a skin rash like poison ivy or poison oak. More effect usually happens after touching the juice of the berries, which can cause blistering of the skin.

What part of the pokeweed can you eat?

The highest amounts of poison are found in the roots, leaves, and stems. Small amounts are in the fruit. Cooked berries and leaves (cooked twice in separate water) can technically be eaten.