Pokeweed?

We have a tall pokeweed growing next to our native garden. It planted itself there, probably seeds deposited by a bird, a couple of years ago.

Since pokeweed isn't a native plant, I considered pulling it out.

Pokeweed is said to need shade and moist soil, but is thriving in our hard pan clay soil. A feisty specimen!

After observing Northern mockingbirds and Western scrub jays visiting the plant daily for berries, I decided to leave the plant alone. With drought affecting their food sources, we need to provide more natural nutrition sources for our feathered friends. I've even seen a monarch sipping from the delicate flowers.

A Northern mockingbird picking berries on our pokeberry shrub.