Phytolacca octandra

Phytolacca octandra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Phytolaccaceae
Genus: Phytolacca
Species:
P. octandra
Binomial name
Phytolacca octandra
Synonyms[1]
  • Phytolacca americana var. mexicana L.

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 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet). The leaves measure 6-15 cm in length.[2]

Taxonomy

Phytolacca octandra was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the second edition of Species Plantarum in 1762.[2] The name Phytolacca is derived from the Greek word phyton ("plant") and the Latin word lacca ("red dye"), while Octandra is a Latin name referring to the eight stamens of the plant.[3] The species is sometimes considered a synonym for Phytolacca icosandra.[4]

Distribution

The species is found globally in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide.[4]

  • Herbarium specimen
    Herbarium specimen
  • Flowers
    Flowers
  • Leaves
    Leaves
  • Ripe fruit (centre) and unripe fruit (right)
    Ripe fruit (centre) and unripe fruit (right)

References

  1. ^ "Phytolacca octandra". The Plant List. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Phytolacca octandra". Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  3. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Vol. 3 M-Q. CRC Press. p. 2065.
  4. ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Phytolacca". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2000-10-27. Retrieved 2011-02-03.