American pokeweed; pokeweed
A plant species (Phytolacca americana); the name is typically written in katakana. Used in botanical and everyday contexts.
American pokeweed is a perennial plant native to North America.
Pokeweed has started growing in the garden.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly seen in botanical contexts; learners will almost always encounter the katakana form.
From 洋種 (ようしゅ, 'Western variety') + 山牛蒡 (やまごぼう, 'pokeweed'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name distinguishes the American species from native Japanese pokeweed.