Fruit Seeds of Southern Michigan: Phytolacca americana

Native

Other names: Poke, Pokeberry, Pigeonberry, Inkberry, Bear's Grape, Cancer Root

[1]

[8]

[4]

[5]

[1]

Notes:
Mean fruit diameter: 8.93 mm (n=245); mean number of seeds per fruit: 9.29 (n=185), based on samples collected at the Rouge River Bird Observatory, Dearborn, MI.

Seeds present in bird fecal samples at the Rouge River Bird Observatory, Dearborn, MI.

References:

Species profile at USDA Plants Database
Michigan Flora online species profile
University of Wisconsin-Steven Point Robert. W. Freckmann herbarium species profile
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center species profile
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Illinois species profile
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Invasive.org species profile

* Listed as invasive in natural areas by the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

(Numbers in photo captions are photo credits, listed in the "Photo Credits" tab at the top of the page)

About

This is a reference guide to fleshy, bird-dispersed fruits, especially identification of seeds. It will focus on fall- and summer-fruiting plant species found in southern Michigan, but since many of these species are widespread in North America, it will be useful for a broader region. Both native and non-native species are covered.

This website was a project of the former Rouge River Bird Observatory; part of RRBO's research was examining the fall diet of birds at an urban site. This page is now maintained by Julie Craves.

Please cite as:

Craves, J. A., and D. Wloch. 2012. Fruit seeds of southern Michigan, an online guide. Rouge River Bird Observatory, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Prairie Oaks Ecological Station. Ann Arbor, MI. (seedguide.blogspot.com) Version 2023.

More on our About page.

Fruit Seeds of Southern Michigan

Pages

Phytolacca americana - American Pokeweed