Vine with small green berries in NC?

11 years ago

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!

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Comments (7)

carol23_gw
11 years ago
Melothria?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:336558}}
marymary_9b
11 years ago
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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sunimrette
Original Author
11 years ago
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!
Lisa Thorpe
2 years ago
I also have this same thing growing here in Oklahoma at my house. I am having trouble finding out what it is. It is spreading at my house....so it isnt poisonous?
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
To get an accurate id of your plant start a new post and provide pictures. There are look alikes and without seeing your specific plant it’s not safe to comment on it.
Anna Cantu
2 years ago
OMG .....Here too in Texas .... i found this vine few days ago ....ive lived here in this house for almost 3 yrs and never seen this vine before ... its has green and red lil balls on this vine... its blowing my mind that its all over the US and nobody knows what it is lol
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
‘Nobody knows what it is’. Many people will know what it is but you need to start a post of your own and supply pictures. There are hundreds of vining plants with red berries but without providing the necessary information nobody can help you and your mind will have to stay blown.

Btw the vine in the original (9 year old post) does not have red berries.