This plant has covered a flowered that I did not plant in this spring, only covered with bark mulch. It is pretty, so I have let it fill the bed - it has climbed up a few shrubs and I have beat it back. Any idea what it is? I have never seen it in five years at this location, or 16 years at my previous location a few miles from here. Thanks! Brandon

to NGA

Its a Wild Cucmber - Melothria pendula

Looks like maybe M. pendula or M. scabra.
Do not eat the black fruit.

There's black fruit?

If it is M. pendula, yes, the fruit is edible when it is green but then the fruit matures to black and is has an extreme laxative effect.

Here are photos of the edible green fruit and the too-ripe black fruit.

Thank you so much for your help! Very interesting, when I cut it open it looks like a miniature cucumber. And thanks for answering the question on whether it is edible! All of the fruit is green, so I will watch and avoid the black fruit!

Great place you have here! :)

Brandon