Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana. Pokeweed can grow to ten feet. It is common in waste ground, roadsides, fence lines and understory. It does not form large stands but occurs as isolated plants. The flowers are apetalous and what you see are whiteish sepals. These are the fruits, black, juicy berries. Birds eat the seeds inside but the plant as a whole is poisonous to livestock. The extra gives some idea of the general habit.

Today is another hot day and the first football game of the season. I do not envy those players in 93º heat playing in all that gear. KU is losing in the fourth quarter. lSurprise, surprise! We do not have a good football team although the basketball is first rate. Strange, but this often seems to happen in college athletics.