Veratrum viride Indian poke (Melanthiaceae)

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Veratrum viride
Indian poke
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The Veratrum viride plant species is found in Eastern N. America - New England to Georgia, Tennessee and Wisconsin. It is a member of the Melanthiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Indian poke.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Veratrum viride
Common Name:  Indian poke
Family:  Melanthiaceae
Author:  Ait.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are highly poisonous[1, 4, 19, 62, 65]. After the plant dies down in the autumn and has been frosted, the toxins decrease and the plant becomes harmless to animals[212].

Mature Height:  2   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Swamps, moist meadows and low ground[21].

Cultivation Notes: Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil[200]. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade[200]. Dislikes dry soils, preferring to grow in a bog garden[42]. Grows best in a cool woodland garden or a north facing border[42]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention[233]. In some N. American Indian tribes, following the death of a chief, all the young aspirants to be chief were given a drink of this toxic plant and the person least affected was deemed to be the strongest and therefore made chief[200].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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