Phytolacca octandra
Species of flowering plant in the family Phytolaccaceae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phytolacca octandra, also known as inkweed or red inkplant, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae, originating from the Neotropical realm of the Americas.
| Phytolacca octandra | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Phytolaccaceae |
| Genus: | Phytolacca |
| Species: | P. octandra |
| Binomial name | |
| Phytolacca octandra | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
Inkweed is a member of the family Phytolaccaceae, growing up to 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet). The leaves measure 6-15 cm in length.[2]
Taxonomy
Phytolacca octandra was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the second edition of Species Plantarum in 1762.[2] The name Phytolacca is derived from the Greek word phyton ("plant") and the Latin word lacca ("red dye"), while Octandra is a Latin name referring to the eight stamens of the plant.[3] The species is sometimes considered a synonym for Phytolacca icosandra.[4]
Distribution
The species is found globally in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide.[4]
Gallery
Herbarium specimen
Flowers
Leaves
Ripe fruit (centre) and unripe fruit (right)
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