Date Photo Taken: May 30, 2011
Location: Nuberg/Elberton, GA near Georgia Guidestones
Posted By: coosa
Notes:
What is this plant with grape-sized red fruit? Is the fruit edible?
This plant is growing along a rural fence directly across the road from the Georgia Guidestones near Elberton, Ga. Each plant is spindly, about 5 feet tall, and loaded with grape-sized fruit that is turning from yellow to red. At red stage, the fruit looks a lot like a “cherry tomato” or “grape tomato”, but the plant is definitely not a tomato. Leaves are delicate with tiny red stems. The plant does not resemble tomato, grape vine, or cherry tree. But the fruit resembles all of the above. I just looked through my plant books and cannot identify this plant or the fruit. The fruit looks edible, but is it?
Kerry Unregistered says:
I’m far from an expert but it looks just like the little plums that I used to pick and eat as a kid.
June 1st, 2011 at 10:20 amWalter Reeves The Georgia Gardener says:
I think Kerry is right. A great snack but what a tummy ache!
June 1st, 2011 at 10:46 amhttp://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/wild-plum-identification/
coosa Registered says:
Thank you! You guys are wonderful. I think you are right. I just sliced one of the fruits and sniffed it. It’s a mild plum aroma! I grew up on a farm in Georgia, but I don’t believe I ever encountered these little plums. I know I never ate them or learned the tummy ache lesson.
The plants I found in Elbert County are not tree-sized. They are very spindly. I’m guessing they are young saplings. I’m surprised they would bear fruit while so young, slender, and weak, but each stalk/trunk is loaded with beautiful, bright red fruit.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:31 am