A Public Safety Announcement

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Bill Stiles

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May 9, 2026, 11:32:32 PM (14 days ago) May 9
to Ridgeside Google Group
Hello Neighbors,

Somehow I’ve managed to live over seven decades without learning that pokeweed is toxic. I want to share what I have learned this evening in the hopes that if might prevent one of you from being injured.

We have a number crop of pokeweed this spring and I have been trying unsuccessfully to pull it out. The stalks always break off at ground level. This afternoon I decided to dig the root out using a garden trowel.

To my surprise the root is big and dense like a turnip, but shaped more like a fat carrot. It broke as I dug it, releasing a very pleasant rhubarb-like smell. I held it close to my nose for several whiffs and gave Janice a snort as well. Not long after that, my nose, throat and lips began to burn. Janice felt some affects also. These reactions did go away after a couple of hours.

Using AI to search I looked up details on the plant and read about proper handling. The search results read like a safety manual from a nuclear plant. The bottom line is, if you encounter this stuff, know that:

  • It has toxic properties similar to poison ivy.
  • You should avoid contact with any part of the plant—the berries, leaves, stalks or roots.
  • Certainly don’t eat any part of it. The impact of ingesting pokeweed could be devastating.
  • Pokeweed sap can stick to your skin and cause a rash.
  • Even breathing in pokeweed's aroma, or its dust if it is dried out or chewed up by a lawnmower, can cause respiratory issues.
  • Wash any part of your skin that comes into contact with the weed. It is also advised to rinse off your garden tools.

Before tonight everything I knew about pokeweed was from the song Polk (sic) Salad Annie by Tony Joe White. I know some people eat the young leaves after a lot of washing and boiling, but I would rather have kale. 

Here is a picture to help identify pokeweed in your garden. Stay safe out there!

Plant of the Week - Pokeweed | BYGL.jpeg





Beth Rousch

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May 10, 2026, 9:26:57 AM (13 days ago) May 10
to Bill Stiles, Ridgeside Google Group
Wow .. thank you !! I did not know this , and pulled one yesterday myself... 



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Patsi Walker

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May 10, 2026, 2:22:23 PM (13 days ago) May 10
to Beth Rousch, Bill Stiles, Ridgeside Google Group
Gosh! Thank you Bill.

 I had no idea. 

I don’t think I have any in my yard but I always think I have eradicated poison ivy until I break out. 

I appreciate the info!





Lela

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May 10, 2026, 3:27:35 PM (13 days ago) May 10
to Patsi Walker, Beth Rousch, Bill Stiles, Ridgeside Google Group
My grandmother used to pull the leaves and cook them.  Must have been used more during the depression.  I could not understand why she was picking weeds around the house and cooking.  
Sent from my iPhone

On May 10, 2026, at 2:22 PM, Patsi Walker <pats...@gmail.com> wrote:


Gosh! Thank you Bill.

 I had no idea. 

I don’t think I have any in my yard but I always think I have eradicated poison ivy until I break out. 

I appreciate the info!




On Sun, May 10, 2026 at 9:26 AM Beth Rousch <rousc...@gmail.com> wrote:
Wow .. thank you !! I did not know this , and pulled one yesterday myself... 



Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Sat, May 9, 2026 at 11:32 PM Bill Stiles <bstil...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Neighbors,

Somehow I’ve managed to live over seven decades without learning that pokeweed is toxic. I want to share what I have learned this evening in the hopes that if might prevent one of you from being injured.

We have a number crop of pokeweed this spring and I have been trying unsuccessfully to pull it out. The stalks always break off at ground level. This afternoon I decided to dig the root out using a garden trowel.

To my surprise the root is big and dense like a turnip, but shaped more like a fat carrot. It broke as I dug it, releasing a very pleasant rhubarb-like smell. I held it close to my nose for several whiffs and gave Janice a snort as well. Not long after that, my nose, throat and lips began to burn. Janice felt some affects also. These reactions did go away after a couple of hours.

Using AI to search I looked up details on the plant and read about proper handling. The search results read like a safety manual from a nuclear plant. The bottom line is, if you encounter this stuff, know that:

  • It has toxic properties similar to poison ivy.
  • You should avoid contact with any part of the plant—the berries, leaves, stalks or roots.
  • Certainly don’t eat any part of it. The impact of ingesting pokeweed could be devastating.
  • Pokeweed sap can stick to your skin and cause a rash.
  • Even breathing in pokeweed's aroma, or its dust if it is dried out or chewed up by a lawnmower, can cause respiratory issues.
  • Wash any part of your skin that comes into contact with the weed. It is also advised to rinse off your garden tools.

Before tonight everything I knew about pokeweed was from the song Polk (sic) Salad Annie by Tony Joe White. I know some people eat the young leaves after a lot of washing and boiling, but I would rather have kale. 

Here is a picture to help identify pokeweed in your garden. Stay safe out there!

<Plant of the Week - Pokeweed | BYGL.jpeg>



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