I grew up in East Tennessee in the greater Knoxville area. Throughout my childhood I played in the woods and fields of my neighborhood with the other kids. Growing up, there was a plant we would stumble across in the warmer months. Word spread that the plant was edible and when you're 10 years old you'll believe anything your best friend says. What I'm trying to find out is exactly what that plant is and whether or not we should have ever been eating it... We would typically find it on the bank of the railroad tracks or in moderately wooded areas. The plant seemed to grow in clusters, at knee height for a 10 year old. The "fruit" was as green as a lime, shaped the same, and slightly larger. You could break it open with your fingers to find an inside full of seeds. The inner lining was white and the seeds had a membrane of sour/tart juice around them. You could bite a seed for a burst of flavor then spit out the seed. I've looked all over trying to determine what it was. I just don't have the nomenclature in order to further the search. I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable enthusiasts may be able to conclude simply from my lacking description. Any help is appreciated!
Wow, you nailed it. I looked up Maypops and sure enough it's exactly what we used to eat. Glad to know it was technically OK to eat as well. Thank you very much for your help tipularia, the confusion has been cleared. ;)
