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Nightshade with 4 white petals?

12 years ago

I've been trying to identify this plant which has been spreading quickly into my property in a shady area. It certainly looks like some member of the nightshade family but I haven't been able to figure out which one. The plants are about 4 to 12" high with purplish stems, no visible hairs, unpleasant odor. The flowers look like American Nightshade with white petals and a protruding yellow centre but the American nightshade (that I've seen online) always has five petals and this has four (somewhat irregularly shaped). Any guesses?

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Comments (3)

hortster
12 years ago
Compare to Houttuynia cordata.
FloatingCoyote
Original Author
12 years ago
Fish Mint? Yum!

Yeah that definitely looks like it. Smells like it too.

Thanks for that.

From what I'm reading it will probably take over that part of my yard which tends to be very wet and a bit shady. Since it's not toxic (even edible) I can live with it. From the sounds of it, I won't have much choice. :)
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Wildflowergma
12 years ago
There is no living with this plant. Get rid of it now, because it will take over. Before you know it, it is everywhere. I don't normally use Round-up, but I will use it on this plant. A real nuisance.

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