vila-vila, Solanum sisymbriifolium

Picture a tomato plant with thorns and many more, but smaller, berries. That's vila-vila or sticky nightshade. One reference says it started in Argentina, but one wonders how they would know because it spreads so well. One plant can produce 45,000 seeds in a season. All sorts of beasts love them, and spread them. Including us. We like it because it is poisonous enough to resist most pests. It is effective planted around gardens to keep bugs and other predators at bay. Vila-vila is now found through the tropical and subtropical world, and occasionally farther afield. With us it has been reported from AL, AZ, CA, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, and ON. Taylor Co FL, 7/8/18. Nightshade family, Solanaceae.