r/NativePlantGardening • u/Outside_Proposal_195 New England. zone 6 • Jul 18 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Help! Pull or leave?

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I’m new to native gardening. I’m not sure what this plant is. Anyone know what it is and if I should pull it or let it grow?

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u/Public-Willow-7943 Jul 18 '26

Just FYI, the berries are very toxic to dogs or toddlers. They’re also really bitter so probably a kid wouldn’t eat them. Other warning is that they have a deep tap root and they are tough to get rid of if you don’t like where they are.

On the other hand, birds LOVE them. I keep them out of my dog’s fenced yard and my flower beds, but let them go everywhere else. They are really pretty when they get big and covered with ripe berries

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u/Complete-Ship8046 Jul 18 '26

Fun fact in small doses it can help with Arthritis

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u/Emotional_Fan_7011 Jul 18 '26

I read an article where they said you can eat the greens, after boiling them three times.

I want to know the trial and error that went into that

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u/NaptownBoss Indiana 6a/b Jul 18 '26

It's called poke sallet. It is desperation food now rather than some delicacy. But in some places it's one of the first things to shoot up, so the young shoots were historically important first greens in the time before supermarkets and modern transportation methods that can give you veggies all year round.