Horsenettle Solanum carolinense
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Solanum floridanum
- Solanum godfreyi
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-LAN-num kair-oh-lin-EN-say
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Carolina horse nettle is a native warm-season perennial herb or subshrub that grows erect or sprawling and is spread by rhizomes and seeds. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and has prickles along the stems and leaves. The light violet or white star-shaped flowers appear in the summer and fall. Its fruits are green berries that look like very small tomatoes. As the fruit ripens, it turns yellow and appears wrinkled. The plant is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
This plant is native to parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is found in the central and southern United States usually in pastures, cultivated fields, disturbed sites, and along roadsides. It is considered a noxious weed in several states.
The genus name, Solanum, is from the Latin word, solamen, which means "comforting or soothing." The species name, carolinense, is Latin for "Carolina" where it was identified.
The Carolina horse nettle prefers full sun and is tolerant to wet and dry conditions. They can grow in sandy or loamy soils. They can easily become weedy and aggressive in disturbed sites. This plant is not recommended for most gardens.
The plant has very deep taproots and spreading rhizomes. The stems are prickly and open-branched. The leaves are dull green with wavy or coarsely lobed margins and are covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers grow in clusters or cymes and may have 5 to 20 light violet or white star-shaped blooms. The fruit is a smooth green berry that will turn yellow and wrinkly when it matures. It ripens in the fall and may last through the winter months.
The plant is pollinated by bumblebees and insects. Quail and wild turkeys eat the fruits.
All parts of the Carolina horse nettle are poisonous to livestock and humans if ingested. Livestock may avoid eating the plant due to the prickles on the stems and leaves. The plant contains a toxin known as solanine and has the highest level in the fall. The berries are the most toxic when they are mature, but the leaves seem less toxic.
Seasons of interest:
Bloom: Summer and Fall Fruits: Fall and Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- erect or sprawling perennial
- prickly stems
- leaves alternate, ovate, coarse lobed margins or wavy, star-shaped hairs
- flower clusters of light violet to white star-shaped blooms with protruding yellow stamens in the center
- smooth, glossy, green berry fruit that looks like a small green tomato and turns yellow when ripens
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Colorado potato beetle, eggplant flea beetle, and tobacco hornworms feed on this plant. The Carolina horse nettle is a weed in gardens or field crops that have reduced tillage. The colonies of Carolina horse nettle are difficult to control and eliminate. They are resistant to some herbicides. Protective clothing and gloves should be worn when handling this plant because of the spines on the stems and leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solanum
- Species:
- carolinense
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Carolina horse nettle was used by Native Americans and the early settlers. It was listed in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1936. It has been used for medicinal purposes such as treating poison ivy, epilepsy, asthma, bronchitis, and tetanus.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Canada to Northern Mexico and Haiti
- Distribution:
- Native: Canada--Ontario and Quebec; Haiti; Mexico--Northeast and Northwest; United States--AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, and WI; Introduced: CO, Primorye, Transcaucasus
- Wildlife Value:
- Bumblebees and insects are attracted to the flowers. The mature yellow fruits may be eaten by quail, wild turkey, and some small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a round, green berry and becomes yellow and wrinkled when ripened. The berry is about 1/2 inches in diameter. Each berry contains many seeds. The fruits ripen in the fall and may persist through the winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers may be solitary or occur in clusters. Each flower is star-shaped with five white to light violet petals. The petals curve downward, and there are protruding yellow stamens in the center.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, oblong to ovate, and is covered on both sides with star-shaped hairs. The leaf measures 2 to 6 inches long, up to 3 inches wide, and is irregularly lobed. The leaf edges are frequently wavy. There is the odor of a potato when the leaves are crushed or bruised.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are green, upright, and may be branched or unbranched. They have sharp prickles and star-shaped hairs. The stem forms a zig-zag pattern. They are angled at the nodes and become woody with age. The petioles have yellow prickles.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, respiratory depression; coma, may be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Solanine alkaloid.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice