Phytolacca acinosa

Phytolacca acinosa, the Indian pokeweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Phytolaccaceae. It is native to temperate eastern Asia; the Himalayas, most of China, Vietnam to Japan, and has been widely introduced to Europe. The species was originally described by William Roxburgh in 1814.

Range

When the species was originally described it was considered a plant located to Nepal. Currently, the plant is considered native to countries surrounding the Himalayas and introduced to large parts of Europe and parts of the United States (Wisconsin).

Ecology

Indian pokeweed is a hyperaccumulator for manganese.

Uses

As a wild food

The young shoots of Indian pokeweed are cooked and eaten by the Gurung people of western Nepal. They are harvested in June and July.

Similar species (look-a-likes)

Due to overlap in diagnostic feature Phytolacca acinosa can be confused with Phytolacca americana, Phytolacca latbenia or Phytolacca polyandra.

Natural products

Phytolacca acinosa is the source of four flavones, four oleanane derivatives, and six triterpenoid saponins.

Flavones

• Cochliophilin A
• Cochliophilin B
• 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy flavone
• 6,7-methylenedioxy-4-hydroxypeltogynan-7′-one

Triterpenoid saponins

• esculentoside A
• esculentoside B
• esculentoside C
• esculentoside D
• esculentoside H
• esculentoside T

References