Find Your Ask the Expert: Can you identify this plant?
Hi – this plant has tiny white flowers with 5 petals and small green berry clusters (I don’t know if the berries will change color eventually). Can you identify it?
Thanks
Kimberly
Los Angeles
Plant Expert Reply:
It is a little difficult to tell from the picture, but I think it is Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). It is not actually a true nettle. The berries should turn a yellowish color. Carolina Horsenettle has spines on the stems and is considered a noxious weed in most states. It also has toxic properties. Be careful when your handle it. Take a look at the Carolina Horsenettle on the MissouriPlants.com site for a positive identification.
Thank you so much – I was trying to decide if I should pull them or
leave them – this was a big help
Kimberly
Kimberly – Did you ever find out what the plant was? The picture of what Jamie had mentioned it might be didn’t look like your pic. We have it in my yard as well and I’m not sure if I should take it out or not. Probably a weed.
Thanks!
Attached Image: IMG_3807.jpg
I have the exact same berry plant in my yard, too. I want to know what they are. I ate a few of the berries last week and they were very sweet. Not sure if they are safe though. I had no reactions and the birds love them.
I have the exact same berry plant in my yard, too. I want to know what they are. I ate a few of the berries last week and they were very sweet. Not sure if they are safe though. I had no reactions and the birds love them. The white flower pedals on my plant are more rounded so I don’t think it is the Carolina Horsenettle.
So I am no expert but I have this plant in my yard. It is a Black Nightshade. The berries start out green or yellow and turn black when ripe. Berries are only edible when ripe and in small quantities.
hairy nightshade – it’s poisonous.
Solanum sarrachoides
http://delawarewildflowers.org/plant.php?id=1899