solanum solved

i knew this plant that appeared unbidden in the bed of my truck was a nightshade...

as soon as i saw the blooms...unmistakably solanum despite being rather small...still i was clueless as to what nightshade...

the fruits it produces bear a strong resemblance to potato or carolina horse nettle fruit...however i knew it wasn't a spud and there are no thorns on this plant...besides, both those plants' blooms are much larger...

the fruits from bittersweet nightshade are somewhat different in appearance,as are the ripe fruits ( as you will see in a moment ) the plant is a more viney ( it is all over the back fence ) while the plant in the truck looks more like a bush...and the bittersweet blooms are all wrong as well...

while i was poking around the bed today i noticed ripe fruits...very dark...almost an eggplant ( another nightshade ) color and some research has led me to believe we are looking at black nightshade...allegedly edible...i believe i will pass since i am not completely secure in this identification...it fits the descriptions and photos i have seen in some reliable, university based information...that still does not guarantee i know with certainty..i would prefer you not pick them...if you do, consume at your own risk...i will be saving seed however...betting some birds wil be spreading some as well