Pokeberry, Jaboncillo, Calalú Robust, glabrous herb, often woody at base, usually 1-2 m tall, sometimes treelike and to as much as 4 m tall; branches angulate. Petioles 1-4.5 cm long; blades elliptic, oblong-elliptic, or lanceolate, acuminate and often mucronate at apex, decurrent at base, 9-17 cm long, 4.5-7 cm wide. Racemes terminal or upper-axillary, 15-50 (70) cm long; rachis and pedicels often reddish; pedicels 7-13 mm long; basal bracts 1.5-2 mm long; bracteoles 2, ca 0.5 mm long; tepals 5, ovate, ca 2 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, white to reddish; stamens 9-17 (22), 2-3 mm long, in 2 whorls on a hypogynous disk; ovary globose, 10-16-carpellate, united; styles connivent at base, free above. Berries +/- globose, 2-6 mm diam, purple-black and juicy at maturity, ribbed when dry. Hladik 110, Shattuck 1150. The species was once common on the island, judging from collections made, but now is apparently rare along the shore in clearings. Probably flowers and fruits throughout the year.