Changes

:Chromosome number: 2''n'' 2n = 36

*''Phytolacca decandra'' L. (1763).

*Pokeweed, poke, inkberry, common pokeberry, red ink plant, poke root (En). *Phytolaque, raisin d’Amérique, teinturier (Fr). *Capa rosa, tintureira, uva de América, uva de macaco (Po).

''Phytolacca'' comprises about 25 species, most of which are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, with a few species in Africa, Madagascar and Asia. Other ''Phytolacca'' species with united carpels are ''Phytolacca octandra'' L. (inkberry, dyeberry) and ''Phytolacca dioica'' L. (belhambra tree, pokeberry tree), both originating from South America and now pantropical.  === ''Phytolacca octandra'' ===In Africa ''[[Phytolacca octandra]]'' occurs in Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. In South Africa the leaves are applied to septic wounds. A root maceration is drunk to treat lung ailments. Pulverized roots are taken as an emetic and applied externally to treat snakebites. Young sprouts and leaves can be used as a vegetable. The roots contain triterpenoid saponins and lectins.  === ''Phytolacca dioica'' ===''[[Phytolacca dioica]]'' has been introduced in the drier regions of tropical Africa, and occurs in Cape Verde, Mali, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The leaves are eaten as a purgative. The fruit is poisonous. It is grown as an ornamental, roadside and shade tree. The leaves and seeds contain several ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs). The leaves are used in dying wool.

* G. Aweke , P.O. Box 4278, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Aweke, G., 2007. '''Phytolacca americana''' L. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.

[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]