Mr. and Mrs. Marion Parker Die Eating Poke Sprouts, May 30, 1924

Eating a dish of poke sprouts several days ago proved fatal to Mr. and Mrs. Marion Parker of Asheville last week. It is believed that death was due from some poisonous herbs believed to be poke that was mixed in the dish.

From the front page of the Elizabeth City Independent, May 30, 1924

Poke, or pokeweed, is a wild plant endemic to North America, particularly in the Appalachia region. It's a tall, non-woody perennial shrub that grows to be up to ten feet tall, with a thick stem, broad flat leaves, and dark purple berries. Young pokeweed can be foraged and eaten only if processed properly. The leaves, which can be used like spinach, must be boiled at least twice, changing out the water for freshness between boilings. If the plant is prepared incorrectly, it is toxic. Symptoms of pokeweed poisoning include seizures, diarrhea, unconsciousness, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, sweating, headaches, muscle spasms, and difficulty breathing. The root is considered the most toxic, while the ripe berries are considered the least toxic. But if you learn how to properly handle young poke leaves, they can be eaten as cooked greens.

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