Phytolacca acinosa - Indian Poke

Family:	Phytolaccaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China to India.

Phytolacca acinosa (Indian Poke) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 8and is quite resiliant to frost.
Indian Poke will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Indian Poke will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Indian Poke prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Indian Poke can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Forests, shrubberies and cultivated ground up to 3000m in the Himalayas[51].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[1], though preferring a moisture retentive fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[200]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Often self sows when in a suitable position[200]. Cultivated for its edible leaves in India[1, 51]. It is said that there are two forms of this plant, one with red flowers that has a poisonous root, whilst another with white flowers that has a white edible root. This white form is said to be cultivated for its edible root in parts of China[178] (I wonder if this is a mis-identification for another species? It could also be P. esculenta, which according to one report is a synonym of P. acinosa esculenta and is said to have an edible root[K]). Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - they must be cooked, and are then used as a spinach[1, 2, 46, 51, 105, 183]. Only the young leaves should be used since the leaves become toxic with age. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute[2, 105, 183]. They have an excellent flavour[2]. Root - cooked[178]. Must be leeched first[179]. Only the white root of the white flowered form (if it exists![K]) should be eaten. See notes above.

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The root is antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antidote, antifungal, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and vermifuge[176, 178, 218, 238]. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug[238]. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division[238]. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis[238]. The root is used internally in the treatment of urinary disorders, nephritis, oedema and abdominal distension[238]. Externally, it is used to treat boils, carbuncles and sores[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. All parts of the plant are toxic, this remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

• Antiasthmatic - Treats asthma.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Antifungal - An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Antiviral - Treats virus diseases
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Vermifuge - Expels and kills internal parasites.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring. Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be safe to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. According to another report it is only a form with reddish purple flowers and a purple root that is poisonous[178].

Other Uses

A red ink is obtained from the fruit[57].

• Ink - Plants that can be used as an ink.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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