IOWA DO NOT TOUCH OR EAT THIS Common Plant Found in Your Backyard

There’s a plant popping up in backyards, along roadsides and near wooded areas that looks harmless at first glance. It has big green leaves and, later in the summer, clusters of beautiful dark purple berries.

DO NOT TOUCH OR EAT IT!

It’s called pokeweed, and it’s a plant you definitely don't want your kids or your dog chewing on.

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Poisonous Pokeweed

Pokeweed is native to much of the United States and can commonly be found growing in fields, ditches, fence lines, wooded edges, roadsides and even right around homes. Mature plants can grow several feet tall and have distinctive reddish-purple stems, large green leaves and hanging clusters of dark purple or almost black berries.

Those berries might look tempting, but every part of pokeweed contains toxic compounds. Eating the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dizziness, weakness and other symptoms. Large amounts can lead to much more serious poisoning.

And while simply brushing against pokeweed isn't the same as touching poison ivy, you still shouldn't handle the plant unnecessarily. Wear gloves if you're removing it and wash your hands afterward.

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So, Is Pokeweed Worse Than Poison Ivy?

In some ways, yes.

Poison ivy is notorious for causing an itchy, painful rash because of the oil called urushiol. Pokeweed, on the other hand, is primarily dangerous when it is swallowed.

The sap and other plant material can cause irritant contact dermatitis, particularly in people with sensitive skin. Possible symptoms of touching Pokeweed include:

• Itching
• Burning or stinging
• Redness
• Skin irritation
• Inflammation
• Sometimes blistering or a rash

If you spot pokeweed in your backyard, keep your kids and pets away from it. Don't let them pick, chew or eat any part of the plant.

It may look pretty, but this is one backyard plant that's definitely better left alone. If you need to remove the plant, wear gloves.