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Mon, Sep 3, 12 at 15:07
| This vine has been growing on my fence for a few years- it dies down to the ground each winter but reappears every summer, and has these small green berries that almost resemble mini smooth-skinned kiwi(single, never in a cluster) in Aug-Sept. It does not seem to be spreading and I have not seen it pop up anywhere else on my 1.3 acre lot. The berries are white-green inside with large grape-like white seeds. I know it isn't a wild grape (we have tons of wild muscadine grapes in our yard) because it dies entirely down to the roots each winter, and the berries don't grow in clusters. So what is it? Thanks for any feedback! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by marymary_9b FL (My Page) on Mon, Sep 3, 12 at 17:29
| Hi Sunimrette - I posted the same question yesterday, it is Melothria Pendula, creeping cucumber. It must be karma or something that you are asking about it from NC. After the plant gurus on this forum posted the name of it for me, I did a quick web search and the first website returned was Eat the Weeds, which mentions that while NC considers it toxic, FL doesn't. Being a wimp, I'm going with NC and not tasting it! It is a pretty plant, though. Enjoy! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Eat the Weeds
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- Posted by sunimrette 7b / NC (My Page) on Mon, Sep 3, 12 at 20:41
| Thanks, guys! I looked up the descriptions and I think you are right, it does look exactly like Melothria. The semi-ripe, light green fruit is safe to eat, but once it gets really ripe and dark (like mine is) it becomes a strong laxative. I'm a chemist, and the word "toxic" is funny to me since everything is toxic in the right doses, even water. So I am sure that this plant contains something that would be toxic in large amounts, but fine in small- probably why NC decided to list it as toxic, to keep overly zealous nature enthusiasts from making entire salads out of the stuff and eating it every day. Maybe I'll try it next summer if it comes back, earlier in the season before it turns into a laxative! |
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