What is the difference between American pokeweed and pokeweed? A quick guide to tell them apart

1. Plant differences

American pokeweed grows about 1 to 2 m tall, with an upright or sprawling stem, cylindrical, sometimes tinged with purple.

Pokeweed has an upright, cylindrical stem with longitudinal grooves, fleshy, green or red-purple.

2. Leaf differences

American pokeweed's leaves are very large, long elliptical or ovate-elliptical, soft and tender in texture, about 15 to 30 cm long and 3 to 10 cm wide.

Pokeweed's leaves are thin papery, with elliptical, long elliptical or lanceolate-elliptical blades, 10 to 30 cm long and 4.5 to 15 cm wide, with pointed tips and wedge-shaped bases that gradually narrow.

3. Flower differences

American pokeweed's raceme is upright, terminal or lateral, about 15 cm long, with a pointed tip. The flowers are white with a slight reddish tinge.

Pokeweed's raceme is terminal or opposite the leaves, cylindrical, with white flowers.