Green berry plant - Ask Extension
So, it grows in my front yard in Colorado Springs like ground cover no more than 2 inches off the ground. The berries stay green are very juicy and fu...
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Green berry plant #283905
Asked October 11, 2015, 12:14 AM EDT
So, it grows in my front yard in Colorado Springs like ground cover no more than 2 inches off the ground. The berries stay green are very juicy and full of small seeds. They almost look like gooseberries but not quite. The berries were bitter all summer but now that it's gotten colder they've become very sweet and kind of smell like honeydew. What is it and is it edible?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. Based on your description and the pictures you provided, I believe the plant in your yard is Cut-leaf nightshade (Solanum triflorum). The reference I used, Weeds of the West, says the plant contains toxic alkaloids. The following link contains more detailed information about this plant and specifically notes the berries should not be eaten - http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2013/fs1312.pdf.
