ID#: 23536
Caption:
This photograph depicts a close view of the berries of the pokeweed plant, Phytolacca americana. All parts of the plant are toxic, although the fruit is considered less poisonous than the roots, which contain the highest concentration of toxic compounds. Historically used in folk medicine as a laxative and bronchodilator, ingestion of this plant can cause severe emesis and hemorrhagic gastritis. The sap may induce contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Severe poisoning can lead to convulsions and respiratory paralysis, potentially resulting in death. Among the numerous toxic constituents present in pokeweed, the alkaloids phytolaccine and phytolaccotoxin are considered prominent.
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Content Provider(s): CDC/ James M. Stewart
Creation Date: 1967
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Copyright Restrictions: Yes - This image is copyright protected. Any public or private use of this image is subject to prevailing copyright laws. Please contact the content provider of this image for permission requests.