What kind of weed is this?

[PunkRotten]

Hi,

I see this weed a lot around my garden. Could someone ID?

[img]https://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/punkrotten/942_3040.jpg[/img]


[img]https://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/punkrotten/942_3041.jpg[/img]



What kind of bug damage is thi?

[img]https://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c86/punkrotten/942_3042.jpg[/img]

[!potatoes!]

looks like a nightshade of some sort. flea beetle damage?

[rainbowgardener]

Yeah, I would have said deadly nightshade, but I think there are several similar nightshades.

But deadly nightshade (aka belladonna) is toxic:

Deadly nightshade is related to the potato. The poisonous chemicals in deadly nightshade are similar to those found in the green parts of potatoes. Fruits of deadly nightshade are brightly coloured and resemble tiny tomatoes, so they may be attractive to children. Children have been killed by eating only three of the berries and the whole plant should be considered dangerous due to its alkaloids which affect the parasympathetic nervous system. This is a common garden weed which prefers woods or thickets on calcareous soil or hedges near old buildings.
https://www.mountlehmanllamas.com/deadlynightshade.html

Incidentally since I like the stories behind names: Belladonna is Italian for beautiful woman. The nightshade is called that because women would use infusion of nightshade as eyedrops, to dilate their pupils and give them that big sparkly eyes beauty. Overused, they would go blind from it.

[PunkRotten]

I don't know if you can see it but I see little parts of the bug damage that seem to have webs on it. Anyway I know it is not good I think some of it transferred to a tomato plant a few feet away. Will take this plant out tomorrow.

[!potatoes!]

yeah, do - it's in the same family as tomatoes and is likely affected by many of the same issues.