Phytolacca octandra


Phytolacca octandra, also known as inkweed or red inkplant, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae, originating from the Neotropical realm of the Americas.

Description

Inkweed is a member of the family Phytolaccaceae, growing up to. The leaves measure 6-15 cm in length.

Taxonomy

Phytolacca octandra was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the second edition of Species Plantarum in 1762. The name Phytolacca is derived from the Greek word phyton and the Latin word lacca, while Octandra is a Latin name referring to the eight stamens of the plant. The species is sometimes considered a synonym for Phytolacca icosandra.

Distribution

The species is found globally in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide.