Weeds are to be expected in every yard, and while I am all for tolerating less problematic species (including dandelions and clover), some can get out of control. American pokeweed, or Phytolacca americana, is one such plant, proving to be a tricksy, toxic and rather frustrating plant to find in your borders.
As with all vigorous weeds, specific adaptations ensure their rapid growth and survival, and despite your best efforts to limit their spread, they seem to keep bouncing back. Believe me, I have battled with many bindweed and ground elder outbreaks in my gardening career. The same is true for American pokeweed, and its deep taproot and self-seeding nature make it a formidable opponent.
