Residents in the City of Stirling are being urged to watch out for a poisonous invasive plant known as pokeweed, which has been detected in the suburbs of Carine and Mirrabooka. The plant, scientifically named Phytolacca americana, is toxic to humans and animals and must be eradicated, according to a community notice on the city's website.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will treat and remove all confirmed pokeweed plants. The shrub can grow up to 2.5 meters tall, with large bright green leaves up to 40 centimeters long. Its flowers form in clusters, ranging from white to magenta, and its berries are round with a flat indented top and bottom, turning from green to white to blackish purple as they mature.
DPIRD warns that all parts of the plant, especially the roots, can be fatal if ingested raw or improperly prepared. Pokeweed can be mistaken for a related species, inkweed (Phytolacca octandra), which is a permitted species widespread in the South West of Western Australia. Inkweed is smaller, growing up to 2 meters with leaves up to 25 centimeters long, and its flowers are white to pale green, with more upright berry stalks.
Residents who spot pokeweed are asked to record the location, date, and time, take a photo if possible, and report it via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or online at mypestguide.dpird.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, they can contact the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au for identification and removal.
