Help Identify this strange plant with purple/black fruit

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by JenBirder, Aug 6, 2011.

  1. JenBirder

    JenBirder Member

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    Hi everyone, I have been searching through the info on this site & have not had any luck identifying this plant that sprouted up in my garden. I usually wait awhile in the spring before I start weeding as I have had various herb & vegetable plants come back from seeds that were dropped the previous season so I left this thing alone when it started growing. It's flowers are tiny, nightshade like, and the berries are green then turn dark purple/black. The black ants have been swarming on the plant, eating the leaves & possibly damaging the stems of the berries. (there's black stuff around the stems of the very ripe berries)
    When I cut open a berry it is greenish, full of little seeds & smells like a green tomato.
    What the heck is it?? Can I eat the berries? Should I pull it out?

    Thanks so much!!
     

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  2. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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  3. JenBirder

    JenBirder Member

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    Thank you so much for replying! This is exactly what it is. I wonder how it got into my garden?
     
  4. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Birds are the most likely culprits.
     

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