Introduction to Phytolacca decandra: Medicinal and ornamental plant
Phytolacca decandra, Also known as potion, pokeweed, grain, tintilla, Indian spinach, wafer grass, Mechoacan, American grape and other local names, is a plant of imposing appearance and decorative appearance, traditionally used both in medicine and ornamental gardening. Native to North America But naturalized in much of the world, this species stands out for its striking appearance and the stories surrounding its multiple uses, effects and precautions.
Botanical description of Phytolacca decandra
Phytolacca decandra It is a perennial herbaceous plant that usually reaches up to three meters high in optimal conditions. The root It is perennial, large, fleshy and with abundant roots that give it a robust appearance and a large capacity for storing reserves. stem It is annual, hollow, succulent, branched at the top, greenish in color that sometimes acquires reddish or purple tones depending on maturity and sun exposure.
The leaves They are arranged alternately, large, with an oval-lanceolate or ovate-elliptical shape. They can measure between 10 and 25 cm long and between 5 and 10 cm wide, being entire, with generally smooth or slightly wavy margins. The blade is decurrent, and the leaves often end in a sharp point. They are hairless and have a deep green color on the upper surface.
The flowers Phytolacca decandra are hermaphroditic and are grouped in bunches lax, up to 30 cm long, opposite the leaves. Each flower lacks petals and is composed of four to five sepals greenish white or pinkish in color, which become reflective with maturity. The perianth protects the stamens (approximately ten per flower) and an ovary composed of ten adherent carpels and very short styles.
El fruit It is a berry similar to a small blackberry, with a discoidal or sub-round shape, which is green at first, but with maturity turns red, purple, and finally black. Each berry has numerous longitudinal grooves and is extremely juicy, with rounded, black, shiny seeds, about 3 mm in diameter. The juice of these berries is of a characteristic wine red color, which has earned it the name pokeweed.
Taxonomy and common names
- Scientific name: Phytolacca decandra L.
- Family: Phytolaccaceae (Phytolaccaceae)
- Gender: Phytolacca
- Popular names in Spanish: Potion lacquer, carmine herb, granilla, tintilla, Indian spinach, wafer herb, American grape, mechoacan
- Other languages: English: Pokeweed, American pokeweed, Garnet, Pigeon Berry, Poke. French: Erva-dyer
It is important to note that the name Phytolacca americana is sometimes used as a synonym, although there are morphological and taxonomic nuances between the two species in different regions.
Detailed morphology of the plant
The appearance of the pokeweed It is unmistakable for its robust and fleshy stems, often reddish in color, and its large alternate leaves. flower clusters and later fruit trees make it very ornamental in gardens and parks. It presents:
- Large, oval leaves, with a soft texture and smooth finish
- Succulent stem, thick at the base and branched at the top
- Bunches of flowers which can reach 30 cm, erect or opposite to the leaves
- Black or purple berries When ripe, they are grouped in dense, hanging clusters
Its development is especially vigorous in fresh, fertile soils with access to water, and it can reach a shrubby shape.
Geographic distribution and habitat
La Phytolacca decandra It is native to northern America, but is now present and naturalized throughout much of the world, especially in temperate or Atlantic climates. It is commonly seen in:
- Road margins and roads
- Cool and shady areas near walls, ruins or ancient buildings
- Damp and shady places, often near watercourses or hedges
- Gardens and parks where it is grown as an ornamental plant
In the Iberian Peninsula, it is distributed in maritime and central areas with a temperate climate, preferring fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soils.
Flowering and fruiting
La flowering of the pokeweed takes place during the spring and summer, extending in many places into autumn. fruits They ripen from mid-summer to autumn, and it is at this stage that they acquire their characteristic purplish-black colour and their greatest ornamental and medicinal potential.
Seed Propagation and Dispersal
The seeds of Phytolacca decandra They spread primarily locally, through animals, water, and human activity, allowing the plant to quickly colonize new areas. The typical dispersal distance exceeds 0,3 meters, which favors spread in disturbed areas or areas with sparse vegetation.
Chemical characteristics and active ingredients
The plant contains a variety of active principles which explain both their medicinal uses and potential toxic risks. Among the most notable compounds are:
- Triterpenoid saponins, especially phytolaccosides
- Phytolacic acid, formic acid and acetic acid
- Tannins and resins
- Alkaloids (phytolazine)
- Antiviral proteins which, according to studies, show therapeutic potential (for example, the PAP-R protein with investigated activity on HIV and other viruses)
Medicinal properties of Phytolacca decandra
In traditional medicine, the pokeweed It has been used in different cultures for a multitude of conditions. Its uses include:
- Purgative (especially fruit juice and alcoholic extracts)
- Emetic (causes vomiting in high doses)
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic
- Antirheumatic and to treat arthritis
- Cathartic (facilitates bowel movements)
- Respiratory conditions (ointments and poultices to relieve symptoms of scabies, ulcers, pharyngeal irritations, orchitis and hemorrhoids)
- Topical use in the form of ointments to treat skin diseases such as rashes, eruptions and psoriasis
- gargling for throat ulcers and irritations
- Fissures in nipples to harden the skin and relieve discomfort
In homeopathy and herbal medicine, the powdered root has been used as an ointment for skin diseases and, diluted, as an alternative remedy for various conditions. However, not recommended for home use without medical supervision due to the risk of toxicity.
Ornamental and decorative uses
In addition to its medicinal properties, Phytolacca decandra is appreciated as ornamental plant for its clusters of flowers and showy fruits. It is frequently used in gardens and parks to add color and volume, especially in borders and hedges where the visual impact of its black or purple fruits is highly appreciated.
La pokeweed It is also used as dye plant, as its intense juice was once used to dye cotton, silk, or wool garments, and sometimes even to adulterate red wine. However, this use should be avoided, as consuming the dye can be toxic and negatively affect the flavor of the wine.
Applications, methods of use and precautions
The most used parts The plant's primary sources of phytotherapy are the root and ripe fruit. Traditional methods of administration include:
- Ointments External: obtained from the pulverized root, indicated for skin conditions
- Compressed for cases of mastitis
- Maceration in alcohol to treat scrofula and rheumatism
- Oral use as a purgative or emetic (not recommended today except under strict medical supervision)
- gargling and rinses for throat irritations
- Dye, using the juice extracted from ripe fruits
Despite its applications, it should be noted that all parts of the plant are potentially toxic, especially the root and seeds, so its use is restricted or prohibited in many countries for direct sale to the public.
Side effects, toxicity and contraindications
Phytolacca decandra has considerable toxicity when consumed in high doses or when preparing concentrated extracts. Symptoms of poisoning may include:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Hypotension and cardiac disorders
- Respiratory distress
- Spasms, convulsions and, in severe cases, respiratory paralysis
- Blood disorders, weakness, drowsiness and, in extreme cases, death
Contact of the root with broken skin or accidental ingestion can cause changes in the blood. Therefore, it is recommended wear protective gloves to manipulate the plant. Consumption is especially not recommended in pregnant women, nursing women and children, since the fruits can have abortive or uterine-stimulating effects and there is not enough scientific evidence to support their safe use in these cases.
As a precaution, pokeweed is included on official lists of prohibited or restricted plants, as a precaution against the risk of poisoning.
Active ingredients and therapeutic benefits
The therapeutic potential of Phytolacca decandra It is primarily derived from its triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids, and proteins, which have potential antiviral and anticancer properties. Some reports cite ongoing research on the use of proteins extracted from the plant to combat viruses such as HIV, influenza, or herpes simplex, although no established clinical applications have yet been established, and their effectiveness remains to be demonstrated.
Interest in these properties has led to the use of derivative products in homeopathy and alternative medicine. However, unless medically indicated, It is neither safe nor advisable to make homemade preparations or consume parts of the plant.
Ecological importance and dispersal
La Phytolacca decandra It is a species that, in addition to its medicinal and ornamental values, plays a significant ecological role in many ecosystems. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals that feed on its fruits, contributing to the regeneration of its environment. It is also a food source for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera and moths.
In certain contexts, however, it is considered a invasive plant due to its rapid colonization capacity, especially in altered or disturbed soils, where it can displace native species.
Curiosities and historical uses
In ancient times, the fruit juice was used for dye fabrics of various natural fibers and, occasionally, to intensify the color of red wine, although the latter is not recommended due to its toxicity. Some historical anecdotes record the use of plant extracts for empirical purposes that are now considered unsafe.
It is interesting to note that only the first leaves of spring Cooked ones are considered relatively safe for occasional consumption, but their use is still not recommended unless there is expert knowledge.
Nutritional properties and other applications
Although it is not usually used as a regular food due to its toxicity, some cultures have consumed it. young stems Cooked, similar to asparagus, since once boiled they lose some of their toxicity. However, this practice is rare and is not currently recommended due to the associated risks.
The potential nutritional benefit of Phytolacca decandra is low compared to the toxicological risks, so Its use as a food plant is not recommended.
Glossary of associated botanical terms
- Berry: Fleshy, juicy and pigmented fruit, typical of the plant.
- Carpel: Floral element that forms part of the ovary.
- Bunch: Inflorescence with main axis and pedicellate flowers arranged laterally.
- Hermaphrodite: Flower that has male and female sexual organs.
- Glabra: No fuzziness or hair on the surface.
- Decurrent: Leaf whose blade extends downwards along the stem.
Important warnings and recommendations
Home medicinal use is not recommended of pokeweed without professional advice. It is essential to respect the doses, avoid self-medication, and consult a health professional if you have any questions. The different parts of the plant can be fatal in high doses and its use is prohibited in many countries for the preparation of homemade remedies or for direct sale to the public.
Consumption should be avoided in individuals with allergies or hypersensitivities known to the plant or any of its components, and extreme caution should be exercised in pregnant, nursing women and minors.
Bibliography and reference sources
- Midolo G., Herben T., Axmanová I., Marcenò C., Pätsch R., Bruelheide H., … & Chytrý M.. Disturbance indicator values ​​for European plants. Global Ecology and Biogeography.
- Lososová Z., Axmanová I., Chytrý M., Midolo G., Abdulhak S., Karger DN, Renaud J., Van Es J., Vittoz P. & Thuiller W.. Seed dispersal distance classes and dispersal modes for the European flora. Global Ecology and Biogeography.
- Castroviejo Bolibar, Santiago & al. (eds.). Iberian flora. Vol. II. Platanaceae-Plumbaginaceae (partim).
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1. Oxford University Press.
- Flora of China Editorial Committee. Flora of China (Ulmaceae through Basellaceae).
La Phytolacca decandra It is a fascinating plant from a medicinal, ornamental, and ecological perspective. Its spectacular flowering and fruiting make it an attractive option in gardening, but it is essential to understand the risks of its toxicity before any therapeutic or culinary use. Available scientific information agrees in recommending extreme caution and always consulting an expert, reserving its external use only for controlled cases and avoiding unsupervised internal consumption. Thus, pokeweed continues to be a staple in gardens and botany books for its beauty and chemical complexity, a symbol of the close relationship between nature and tradition.
