Plant Deadly for Dogs Now Growing in the Hudson Valley

Unfortunately, cooler weather in the Hudson Valley doesn't mean that all plants have stopped growing. Conditions are still still great for one berry producer that could spell bad news for both you and your pets.

We first noticed the problem at our house in Newburgh, NY when our dog began throwing up. For two nights in a row, at the exact same time, our 24-pound puppy became sick... and it wasn't long before we recognized the potential problem.

Poisonous Plant in Many Hudson Valley, NY Yards

Our dog is one of the most curious creatures on the planet, and for better or worse (usually worse), that includes investigating almost anything he comes across that might be edible. When we noticed that he had been spending a particularly long time near the back of our yard, we discovered a dangerous plant growing through our fence.

Pokeweed in the Hudson Valley, NY

The vegetation in question is pokeweed, a plant that is poisonous all the way from its roots to its berries. Pokeweed most commonly grows on the edges of forests (like in our yard), and while it can be helpful for wildlife, it can be dangerous for both humans and pets.

Is It Safe to Eat Pokeweed Berries?

Pokeweed berries, which we discovered our dog was eating, are one of the most poisonous parts of the plant and can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting (like in our case) all the way to death in rare instances.

How to Remove Pokeweed Plants

Like most plants, pokeweed is most easily removed in early stages of growth. As we discovered at our house, larger pokeweed plants develop strong root systems and are nearly impossible to remove (we resorted to simply cutting the plant as close to the ground as possible).

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Since pokeweed is considered a native plant and is a food source for other animals like birds, New York State residents without children or pets may decide to let the plant grow for the benefit of wildlife. Check out more plants to avoid this fall below.