What is this plant that has pink stems?

[goddessmother]

I recently cleared out a bed of English Ivy. I tilled the soil but added no compost. I planted an assortment of berry bushes and these unknown plants grew spontaneously in abundance. The plants get as high as 4 feet. The leaf edges are smooth. The flowers come on pink stalks having 5 tiny white petals with an ever growing green fruit in the middle of each flower in the cluster. The main stalk is green below and pink midway up the plant.

[celebration]

I do not know the name of this weed, but I had it in my yard a couple of years ago. It was at the back of the lot, in a semi-natural area and I let it grow because it was so pretty. Was I sorry! The next year, they sprouted up all over the place. They are somewhat difficult to remove due to their root type - you have to get ALL of the roots out. If you don't, you will have more plants growing from EACH tiny piece of root left. It took months for me to get all those plants out.

[goddessmother]

Thanks, celebration. I was afraid of that! I still wonder what is its name?

[goddessmother]

Pokeweed is a native of the east coast but an invader to the west. It is poisonous everywhere especially in its fleshy root. The young Springtime leaves were eaten by Native Americans after boiling and discarding the water several times, called Poke Sallat. It is now a part of Southern fare and can be purchased in a can.

It is cultivated for its medicinal properties. It has been traditionally used by Native Americans to treat cancer and arthritis. Animal studies are promising but there have been no human studies to date. It is also reputed to treat acne.

The berries are not as toxic as the root but have been known to kill children.

Here's one fairly accurate reference:
ACS :: Pokeweed