Phytolacca octandra
Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1: 631. 1762.
Plants to 2 m. Leaves: petiole 0.5–3 cm; blade lanceolate to elliptic, to 22 × 7.5 cm, base obtuse to attenuate, apex acute to acute-acuminate, sometimes mucronate. Inflorescences axillary or terminal spikes or spikelike, equaling or shorter than subtending leaves, to 14 cm; peduncle to 3 cm; pedicel absent or to 2 mm. Flowers: sepals 5, white to pinkish or reddish, oblong to ovate, subequal, 2–3 × 1.2–2 mm; stamens (7–) 8–10, in 1 whorl; carpels 7–10, connate; ovary 7–10-loculed. Berries greenish, 4.5–6 mm diam. Seeds black, lenticular, 2 mm, shiny.
Phenology: Flowering summer–fall northward, probably year-round southward.
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 200-1000 m
Distribution
Ariz., Wis., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands
Discussion
Phytolacca octandra is a species with nearly worldwide distribution. It is closely similar to, and perhaps not specifically distinct from, P. icosandra (J. I. Davis 1985).
Selected References
None.