Q: I recently found these pods on a tree in Marietta and would love to know their origin. The fruit/pod are dark purplish black and spongy and then this glorious green grape at the end. Fascinating!

A: My friend Shannon Pable ID’s them as fruit from a podocarpus bush.

They are said to be edible but I make no guarantees.

Podocarpus (yew pine) has become more and more common in Atlanta landscapes but it will be severely injured if we get winter temperatures in the ‘teens.

Eat Your Hedge