Phytolacca dodecandra aka Pokeweed

Phytolacca dodecandra belongs to the Phytolaccaceae family. Its names include endod and African soapberry. It comes from tropical and southern Africa, and Madagascar. It grows in forests, woodland, thickets, and grassland. It also grows beside rivers and on former forest land. Its native climate has wet and dry seasons.

This evergreen shrub has a loose, scrambling form. Its stems can be somewhat fleshy. Garden plants reach about 13 feet [4 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Growth is moderate. Some plants climb, with stems reaching 33 feet [10 metres]. Rare stems reach 66 feet [20 metres]. The leaves grow alternately along the stems. They are oval, with tips that narrow to a point.

Long, upright flower stalks bear white to cream-green blooms. Insects pollinate the flowers, and plants are not self-fertile. Some plants flower and fruit throughout the year. Elsewhere, they have two flowering periods each year. The fleshy fruit reaches about 0.6 inches across. It contains four or five sections, each with one seed. Birds eat ripe fruit, which also drops from the plant.

This tropical plant prefers sun and soil that drains well. Partial shade helps where heat and water loss cause wilting. Deep shade reduces both fruit crops and their saponin content. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It also tolerates a broad range of soil acidity. Wild plants grow in moist, slightly acid soil rich in organic matter. It can grow in dry or moist soil. Best growth occurs with ample yearly rain and a clear dry season. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. Seeds and soft stem cuttings can produce new plants.

In Ethiopia, people grow it as a hedge. Its fruits contain saponins, which make foam in water. People dry and grind green fruits to make washing soap. The berries yield red dye, while the leaves yield yellow dye. Fruit extracts also help control snails that carry disease. These extracts can kill fish and other water life. African traditional medicine uses several parts, despite their toxic effects. Some communities eat cooked young leaves and stems, or fruit. Yet reports link the leaves and fruit to severe poisoning and death. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, weakness, and an irregular pulse. These food uses do not establish that the plant is safe to eat.