Wikijunior talk:Summer Flowers of Northern New England/Phytolacca americana

I have been told that the plant (poke) is very poisonous. that is gives off a milky secretion when it is broken off any where the leaves are connected to the stalk. I don't want to get any of the milky secretion on my skin, could get me deathly ill. Is this true? I have dogs and little children around my home very concerned about them. can someone please help me out. Also I would like to know if I can burn these plants once I get them out of the ground. thanks so much. Worried in Michigan209.165.254.246 (discuss) 17:51, 5 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Yes, parts of the poke plant are poisonous at certain times of the year, but I wouldn't worry about it. I have never heard of it causing contact dermatitis.  People eat the leaves of this plant commonly in the southern US, even though it becomes poisonous as it matures.  There are hundreds of poisonous plants all around us, and this one is no worse than the next.  The leaves of many plants that are normally thought of as food plants are often poisonous - cherry leaves, tomato leaves, and potato leaves are all poisonous.  Chrysanthemums, and poinsettia's are also poisonous. --Jomegat (discuss • contribs) 20:14, 5 August 2012 (UTC)