Pokeweed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Phytolaccaceae family that may grow 4 to 10 feet high. It is an aggressive plant that self-seeds easily and can become weedy. The plant grows easily in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers consistently moist soils but will tolerate short periods of drought. White blooms first mature in early summer and continue into early fall. The plant has a thick fleshy taproot, up to 12 inches long and four inches thick. Dark blue-black, purple berries mature in the late summer to fall and attract birds.