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Phytolacca dioica - (L.)Moq.

Bella Sombra

Author	(L.)Moq.	Botanical references	200
Family	Phytolaccaceae	Genus	Phytolacca
Synonyms
Known Hazards	The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be alright to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. Other parts of the plant, including the fruit, are likely to be poisonous.
Range	S. America - Argentina.
Habitat	Not known
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Tree growing to 4m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves.

Edible Uses: Colouring.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[183]. The leaves should not be eaten raw and only the young leaves should be used since they become toxic with age. The fruits are made into jellies or jams and are also used as a red colouring for food[183]. Some caution is advised. See notes on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

A red ink is obtained from the fruit.

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[1], though preferring a moisture retentive fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[200]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. A spreading shade-giving tree in its native habitat, it might develop as a shrub in a warm sheltered position in Britain[200]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring. Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Links

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Phytolacca dioica

Janice Barket Sun May 21 2006

I have eaten this plant all of my life and still do.I am 60 years old now. I have also dried the leaves and made tea from them. However my Mother taught me all about how and when to pick it. We need to focus more now on how to stop our food system from murdering us and our children. It is awful when even the Amish are dieing all around from things like Factory Farmers . Farmers were once looked to with respect but now have become Villians in the worst kind of way eversince Factory Farms and Conglomornates have taken over. The cures are in the plants for many diseases but we must stop using Herbisides and Insectiside that are chemical and get back to basics if at all posible. Paw Paw is natural and there are many more. Cancer is rampet and is induced by man not nature. I just had to put my dog down because they sprayed while I was not home and he was very ill. Afteer two weeks of watching Thank you. My dog had to be put down because of spray from Factory Farming and they sprayed 40 feet into the air all around my house. Gee, I did not know plants grew up there. THank you. Janice in PA

Phytolacca dioica

Gabriel Dürr Sun Jan 25 2009

Thank you for your cultivation hints. Gabriel from Switzerland

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