Independence

The story of Independence is the story of our history. This is an American pokeweed and is a large perennial plant you will see along the roadside when you drive in the rural areas. Mockingbirds and cardinals love the stunning purple berries and so did our colonial ancestors, but not to eat. Many parts of the plant are poisonous to humans but not birds. Annual pokeberry festivals occur where the young leaves are eaten after a complicated cooking method. However it is the berry that provided us with ink for drawing and writing, just remember not to put the brush in your mouth. It was the ink from these berries that allowed Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. I admire this plant, not just for its history but its independence in my pollinator garden.