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.
| Phytolacca octandra | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Phytolaccaceae |
| Genus: | Phytolacca |
| Species: | P. octandra
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| Binomial name | |
| Phytolacca octandra | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editInkweed 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
editPhytolacca 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
editThe species is found globally in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide.[4]
Gallery
edit-
Herbarium specimen -
Flowers -
Leaves -
Ripe fruit (centre) and unripe fruit (right)
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References
edit- ^ "Phytolacca octandra". The Plant List. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Phytolacca octandra". Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Vol. 3 M-Q. CRC Press. p. 2065.
- ^ 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.