Plant identification - is this a type of pepper?

DaveCh

Does anyone know what this plant is? It’s currently growing in the back garden of a friend in France, near Le Mans so quite warm climate. We’ve cut it open and tasted a bit and it’s got a sweet peppery taste, and the seeds look like pepper seeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Dave

Dovefromabove

Looks to me like Solanum pseudocapsicum (which might explain something).

Also known as the Jerusalem Cherry and by several other names. 

If im correct it’s toxic , or at least mildly so. Stop eating it. 

punkdoc

I have no idea what it is, and therefore I would not eat it.

Papi Jo

I'm afraid @Dovefromabove is right. Solanum pseudocapsicum is toxic, do NOT eat it.

PS.- I would not call the climate of Le Mans a "warm climate", except that with the current heat wave we are having all over France (and many other European countries) it IS pretty hot. I just spotted a bush of same Solanum pseudocapsicum plant in a friend's garden this afternoon. Lovely colours, looks like cherry tomatoes so that makes even more dangerous.

Papi Jo

punkdoc said:

I have no idea what it is, and therefore I would not eat it.

Agree! With the current fashion for eating wild herbs etc. some people will eat anything, and we regularly hear of cases of mild to serious poisoning of careless people. Mind you, that has always been the case with wild mushroom pickers. See http://www.medisite.fr/a-la-une-il-meurt-empoisonne-a-cause-dune-plante-toxique-ramassee-en-foret.5486562.2035.html

Fairygirl

Just as well you were sensible enough to come here and ask, drc. The knowledge of many posters here, who know and understand the importance of correct ID of all sorts of plants is a wonderful tool to have at our fingertips. That could have had a bad outcome.
They do look like an edible fruit - tomato or similar, don't they? The foliage is different, but not everyone would realise that either. I think many people would have picked and eaten one or two of those having assumed they were toms or peppers.

Dovefromabove

It's really helpful to have such good photos too 

punkdoc

This is not an original thought [ thanks Dove ], but at the risk of being ridiculed for elitism again, the latin name, may have been of some use.

DaveCh

Thank you everyone! Well, so far I’m still alive... (to be fair I only ate a tiny bit to describe the taste, rather than make a salad out of them! 😜). At least we know now not to add them to the evening meal. Your responses are really appreciated. Happy summer! Dave

Papi Jo

punkdoc said:

This is not an original thought [ thanks Dove ], but at the risk of being ridiculed for elitism again, the latin name, may have been of some use.

Better be called an elitist than poisoned to death.

Fairygirl

The photos were excellent - that's always very helpful for any ID. Close ups of fruit and foliage, and a bit of distance too. 
Glad you didn't eat any more of them!