Hello, If I did this right...my first time post and new member. Can any one please Identifiy this plant [climber ]. Is it invasive or Poisonous? The berries droop as a cluster and it reminds me of a Butterfly bush. I live in Michgan zoon 5b. Found the climber in poor soil last week. I did not see the bloom stage. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your time. woodville5656@msn.com
Welcome woodville5656. Yes, parts are very poisonous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytolacca_americana http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Phytoam.htm
No need to get rid of it just because it is poisonous. You would probably be amazed at how many very ordinary and everyday garden plants are poisonous. eg Daffodils, Lily of the Valley etc etc. Most are only toxic if eaten. Occasionally plants have sap which is toxic. Just treat them with respect.
I'd have called it 'slightly poisonous', not 'very poisonous'. The young foliage is edible in spring ('poke salad'). The berries are also a very valuable food for birds, which can eat them safely.
