Venezuelan Pokeweed (Phytolacca rivinoides)
Description
“Pet poisonous” – Toxic parts: roots, seeds, berries Phytolacca rivinoides is a kermes berry plant species described by Carl Sigismund Kunth and Carl David Bouché . Phytolacca rivinoides are included in the genus kermes berry , and the kermes berry family . Phytolacca is a genus of perennial plants native to North America, South America and East Asia. Some members of the genus are known as pokeweeds or similar names such as pokebush, pokeberry, pokeroot or poke sallet. Other names for species of Phytolacca include inkberry and ombú. The generic name is derived from the Greek word φυτόν (phyton), meaning "plant," and the Latin word lacca, a red dye. Phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin are present in many species which are poisonous to mammals if not cooked properly. However, the berries are eaten by birds, which are not affected by the toxin because the small seeds with very hard outer shells remain intact in the digestive system and are eliminated whole.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Phytolaccaceae
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Genus: Phytolacca
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