Button Pokeweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Button Pokeweed
• red inkplant
• tropical pokeweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sarcoca icosandra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is further categorized into the family Phytolaccaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Phytolacca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a remarkably wide geographical distribution across several different continents and regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found specifically within the Baleares islands. Its presence extends to the Macaronesian region, particularly on the island of Madeira. The species is also documented in Eastern Asia, specifically in Taiwan, as well as in the Malesian region of Jawa. Finally, its range reaches into the Southwestern United States, where it is located in Arizona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phytolacca icosandra is characterized by an expansive altitudinal distribution that allows it to occupy a diverse array of habitats. This species exhibits remarkable ecological plasticity, capable of thriving across a broad gradient ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude montane environments reaching up to 3,800 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests that the plant can adapt to varying climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability found from tropical lowlands to sub-alpine zones. Such a vast vertical range indicates that its niche encompasses various soil types and microclimates, enabling it to persist in both humid lowland ecosystems and more rugged, high-elevation landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Phytolacca icosandra is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant avoids the complete senescence seen in annuals, instead establishing a robust physiological presence that enables it to undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development. This long-lived life strategy allows the species to stabilize within its ecological niche, utilizing its perennial structure to recover from seasonal fluctuations and invest resources into sustained survival and eventual seed production.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phytolacca icosandra is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody herb and forb, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 3 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic behavior. Although it possesses a self-supporting climbing structure, it does not rely on other organisms for physical support, behaving as a self-supporting organism rather than an obligatory or facultative liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phytolacca icosandra is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, which suggests a dispersal mechanism potentially involving biotic agents. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions, maintaining a uniform seed volume with both a maximum and minimum value, as well as a mean volume, of 5.2 mm³. The seed mass also displays a specific range, varying from a minimum of 0.00446 g to a maximum of 0.0065 g, resulting in an overall mean seed mass of 0.00548 g. This precise quantitative data regarding seed size and weight contributes to the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to colonize suitable habitats.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.0065 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00548 g

Seed mass min:

0.00446 g

Seed volume max:

5.2 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phytolacca icosandra has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Veterinary parasitology

Chemicals

Phytolacca icosandra has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Terpenoids.

Coumarins

1. Veterinary parasitology

Flavonoids

1. Veterinary parasitology

Saponins

1. Veterinary parasitology

Steroids

1. Veterinary parasitology

Terpenoids

1. Veterinary parasitology

Preparations