Indian Poke (Noun)
Meaning 1
North American plant having large leaves and yellowish green flowers growing in racemes; yields a toxic alkaloid used medicinally.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Indian poke is a perennial plant that grows in moist woodlands and fields throughout much of North America.
- The large umbrella-like leaves of the Indian poke plant can grow up to 12 inches in diameter.
- The yellowish green flowers of the Indian poke plant appear in late spring and early summer, growing in long racemes.
- Indian poke contains a toxic alkaloid that has been used medicinally for centuries, despite its potential to cause harm if ingested carelessly.
- Early European settlers learned from Native Americans to use Indian poke as a treatment for various ailments, including fever and rheumatism.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Pokeweed of southeastern Asia and China.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Indian poke is a type of pokeweed that is native to southeastern Asia and China, and is known for its toxic berries.
- The plant, also known as Indian poke, can grow up to 10 feet tall and has distinctive purple stems.
- In some parts of China, Indian poke is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
- The leaves of the Indian poke plant are edible, but only if they are cooked properly to remove the toxins.
- Indian poke is often found growing in the wild in southeastern Asia, particularly in areas with rich soil and full sun.