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Inkweed
Environmental Weed
Botanical name: Phytolacca octandra
Special note: Suspected of poisoning cattle.
Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Native of Tropical America, Inkweed is a short-lived perennial up to 3m high. Reddish stems smooth, thick. Leaves lanceolate, green turning red.
Small, greenish white flowers in dense spikes. Purple-black berries with reddish juice.
Dispersal
Birds.
Impact on bushland
A coloniser, it occurs on waste ground and in disturbed areas. Found in rich soil and occurs more frequently on deep shale soils.
Control
Manual: Hand remove upper part of the taproot with knife or mattock.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.