Nightshade, american

The American nightshade, also called Phytolacca americana, is a plant of the genus Phytolacca within the family Phytolaccaceae. The plant is found in North America and Southern Europe.

Phytolacca americana is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a maximum height of 2 meters. The erect stem is usually reddish in color; the flower clusters are radially symmetrical and also red, while the perianth segments are mostly greenish-white. The plant’s roots are usually thick and fleshy. The plant bears fleshy, flat berries, whose red pigment was formerly used as a food coloring. The roots are used to treat rheumatism and arthritis.

The American nightshade is the source plant for Radix Phytolaccae decandrae, the kermes berries that contain saponins. Today, the plant is used to treat inflammation in the throat and pharynx (e.g., as an ingredient in^Tonsipret®).