Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial plant: "Pigeon berry" is the common name for a tall, coarse perennial herb native to America. It is characterized by small white flowers that develop into blackish-red berries hanging on long, drooping clusters (racemes). While the young fleshy stems are edible, the berries and root of the plant are poisonous.

Usage Notes

• "Pigeon berry" is primarily used as a common name for a specific plant species (), which is more widely known as pokeweed.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• The name likely originates from the fact that birds, such as pigeons, eat the berries.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was overgrown with pigeon berry, its drooping racemes heavy with dark berries.
  • Foragers must be careful to correctly identify pigeon berry, as its toxic parts can be dangerous.
  • Despite its poisonous berries, pigeon berry has historically been used for its edible young shoots.

Advanced Usage

• As a subject of botanical description: The term is used in botanical or foraging contexts to describe the plant's identifying features.
  • The key identifiers for pigeon berry are its red stems, long drooping fruit clusters, and dark purple berries.

Variants and Related Words

• Pokeweed (n): The most common synonym for "pigeon berry."
• Inkberry (n): Another regional common name for the same plant, referring to the historical use of its berry juice as ink.
• American pokeweed (n): The full botanical common name.

Synonyms

• Pokeweed
• Inkberry
• American pokeweed
• (scientific name)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use "pigeon berry." It is a straightforward botanical term.

Noun

1. tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous