Potato plants produce inedible 'fruit'

Q. What are the small green fruits on my potato plants and are they edible?

A. Many gardeners are finding small, green, cherry tomato-like fruits on their potato plants this year that they have never seen before. Potatoes are members of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family along with tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Potatoes look much like tomato plants in growth habit and leaf structure. Potatoes and tomatoes can share diseases, like this year's problem with late blight (think Irish potato famine). They also share some common pests such as the tomato hornworm.

Potato flowers are similar to tomatoes but seldom set fruit due to hot temperatures. This year, however, we experienced cooler weather and adequate rain during the latter part of June, which allowed fruit development. These fruits are not edible and, in fact, are poisonous. They contain high amounts of solanine that can make you very ill.

Solanine is also found in potatoes that are left in the sun and the skin turns green. Besides being very bitter, eating plant parts containing solanine can lead to headache, abdominal pain, shock and diarrhea. The fruit should be removed so children are not tempted to eat them. So enjoy the rare event but then throw them away.

- By Pete Landwehr

• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines. Call (847) 298-3502 or email northcookmg@gmail.com.