Question: I cleared some grass off a wet spot in my lawn. Among the various things I planted, this came up. …
-
Question
I cleared some grass off a wet spot in my lawn. Among the various things I planted, this came up. It could have come as a weed seed in added dirt. I tried the interactive key starting with non-woody plants, not composites, with opposite leaves. I didn't get anywhere. Some of the leaves are weakly lobed, some not. Some of the leaf bases are slightly asymmetrical, some not. I don't know if the fruit splits open when ripe. I don't remember seeing any flowers.
Answer
Dear jfc, this plant is Solanum emulans (eastern black nightshade). You will find it called Solanum ptychanthum on the Go Botany website. It is an infrequent (but locally common) native herb with edible black fruits. Best wishes.
