| 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] | |
| |
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.
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]
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]
The species is found globally in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. [4]
