Phytolacca esculenta

Physical Characteristics

Phytolacca esculenta is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Leaves - they must be cooked and are used as a spinach[1, 58, 105, 174, 183]. Only the young leaves should be used since they become toxic with age. Root - cooked[105, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Antiasthmatic Antibacterial Antifungal Antiinflammatory Antiphlogistic Antitussive Diuretic Expectorant Hypotensive Purgative The roots contain saponins[279]. They are abortifacient, antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive and purgative[147, 174, 176, 279]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, beri-beri, lumbago, rheumatism, abdominal distension and numbness of the throat[147, 176, 279]. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity[176].

Known Hazards

The leaves are poisonous[147]. They are said to be alright to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older.