Our editor Therese Ciesinski discovers fall fruits resembling bunches of miniature pumpkins that area ideal for decorative seasonal arrangements.

A few weeks ago a friend gave me a gift. It appeared to be clusters of plastic mini-pumpkins, and I shuddered inwardly, since plastic plants are an affront to all that is natural and wholesome in this world. Plus, they get dusty.

Close examination revealed that they were not plastic at all. Every one was real. Tiny, almost unnaturally shiny orange, yellow and green “pumpkins” dangled from fibrous green stems. Whimsical and weird at the same time.

This I had not seen before. So I asked The Great Oz (Google), “What manner of plant is this?” and he replied: Solanum aethiopicum. Common name: pumpkin on a stick.

The name brings up images of those deep-fried novelty foods sold at state fairs across the country. And pumpkin on a…