Appearance

Appearance

The stems and the main veins beneath the leaves carry sharp prickles. The wavy or shallowly lobed leaves have fine, star-shaped hairs.

Growth form

This prickly perennial usually grows 2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m) tall and spreads from deep, creeping roots.

Flowers

Clusters of white to light violet, five-pointed flowers surround a bright yellow cone of anthers. In much of the United States, it blooms in summer and fall.

Fruit

The smooth berries are green at first, turn yellow when ripe, and may remain into winter.

Look-alikes

black nightshadeSolanum nigrum

Carolina horse-nettle has large, sharp prickles and yellow ripe berries. Black nightshade lacks those large prickles and has dark purple-black ripe berries.

Why they get mixed up · Both have star-shaped nightshade flowers and round berries.

Images coming soon

potatoSolanum tuberosum

Carolina horse-nettle has single, prickly leaves. Potato leaves are divided into several leaflets.

Why they get mixed up · Both can have pale, star-shaped flowers with yellow anthers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• pastures
• crop fields
• roadsides and disturbed ground

Range

It is native to parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico and is widespread in the central and southern United States.

Preferred conditions

It grows in full sun and tolerates both moist and dry ground, especially in disturbed sites.

Growing it

Propagation

It reproduces by seed and by creeping roots that can send up new shoots.

Toxicity

All parts are poisonous if eaten, and the prickles can injure skin. Do not eat the tomato-like berries, and wear gloves when handling the plant.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed

Status

Its seed is regulated as noxious weed seed in many U.S. states.

Culture and stories

Culture and stories

• The name horse-nettle is misleading: this plant belongs to the nightshade family, not the nettle family.
• The species name carolinense refers to Carolina, where the plant was identified.