Family: Magnoliopsida:Caryophyllidae:Caryophyllales:Phytolaccaceae
Synonyms: Phytolacca esculenta Van Houtte
Common names: Asian poke weed, edible pokeweed, Indian poke, phytolacca, poke root, endod, shang lu, thuwowng lujc, kermesbeere, kermesbär
Phytolacca acinosa Roxb., belonging to the family Phytolaccaceae, is a perennial herb native to East Asia. Its large, fleshy roots contain polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoid saponin and serve as a traditional Chinese herb with multiple medicinal applications, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and immunity-enhancing uses .
Habitat:
It can be found in forests, light woodland, shrubbery,
sunny to shady edges and on cultivated ground.
Environment
Latitude: It thrives in temperate climate.
Altitude: It can be found up to 3000 metres in the
Himalayas.
Temperature: It is frost tender. Reported
temperature range for growth is 5-28°C with the optimum
between 12-18°C. For optimal propagation sow at 18-22ºC for
2-4 weeks, move to -4 to +4ºC for 4-6 weeks and finally
move to 5-12ºC for germination.
Water: It thrives in humid places. Reported annual
rainfall range for growth is 500-1000 mm with the optimum
between 600-900 mm.
Radiation
Range & intensity: It can grow in full sun and
partly shade.
Photoperiodism:
Soil:
Physical: It is not very specific to soil type but
thrives in moist but well drained soils rich in organic
matter.
Chemical: It thrives in fertile soils. Reported soil
pH range for growth is 5-8 with the optimum between 5.5-7.5.