saw on side of the yard, caught my eye. seems to be growing wild. ( photo / image / picture from film495's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from film495's Garden ) also right on side of yard. sort of looks like some sort of lettuce or something. I cleared and introduced grass in this area, but wanted to figure out what this is before removing it. ( photo / image / picture from film495's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from film495's Garden )
I am not sure about the first one, but the "lettuce" looking one is Poke Weed (Phytolocca Americana). It will have a tap root as thick or thicker than a mans arm if it is mature. The berries are eaten by birds, but not people. The foliage can be boiled in several changes of water and eaten in the spring, but not raw. It can grow to a huge plant by the end of the Summer. beautiful, but messy. Purple bird splats everywhere.
interesting. thanks carolyn. I found three of them in the same area. I think I'll watch it and see what happens. apparently if the world ends, it can be used to eat the leaves if prepared correctly, but it seems from reading there is a risk of poisoning, so - maybe not.
