'Balls' growing on potato vines

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Permalink Reply by Roy on July 8, 2008 at 5:37pm

It does look like the fruit!!!!

"The fruit, or "potato ball" -- seldom
produced by northern cultivated varieties -- is a round green berry
about one-half inch in diameter, containing numerous small seeds. It
is said to be poisonous when raw but was cooked and eaten by Indians"

Roy

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Permalink Reply by Ann on July 8, 2008 at 8:47pm

Thank you! Since I have 2 small children who play in the yard everyday - should I remove these berries?

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Permalink Reply by Roy on July 8, 2008 at 9:16pm

I'm no potato expert. I do know they're in the nightshade family so I'd be concerned, I'd remove them!!!

Solanum tuberosum

Common Names: Potato, Irish Potato, White Potato

Description: Upright herbs with edible
underground tubers. Leaves are
oval and pinnately divided.
Flowers are white or bluish and in
clusters. Fruits are rounded
yellowish or green berries.

Toxic Parts: Green and spoiled potatoes,
sprouts, and unripe berries.

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
headache, stomach pain, cold and
clammy skin, dilated pupils,
circulatory and respiratory
depression, shock, and paralysis.
Roy

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Permalink Reply by Ann on July 8, 2008 at 9:46pm

I'm glad I asked - I'll be cutting those off tomorrow and throwing them away! Thanks again!

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