Ombu

Phytolacca dioica L.

Family: Phytolaccaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Plant Pono lists "poisonous sap" and "fruits toxic to livestock (cattle/chicken poisoning)"; it also lists "low human toxicity/allergenicity (rare case only)".

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has no Phytolacca dioica page. Plant Pono lists poisonous sap and fruit toxic to livestock. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Phytolacca dioica L. (HortFlora, Plant Pono and Kew WCVP agree), not on the common name.. The Barcelona street-tree plan prints the name as "Phytolaca dioca" (spelling errors); the correct name is Phytolacca dioica. Do not assume it is harmless: Plant Pono lists poisonous sap and toxic fruit.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 9b-11, tolerates light frost (Plant Pono)
Light: Plant Pono: not shade tolerant.
Water needs: The level is a plain-language reading of the source wording cited. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: HortFlora: to about 10 m tall; trunk broad and often buttress-like at the base. Benalla specimen recorded at 11.5 m tall with a 16 m spread.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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