Solanum carolinense (Horse Nettle)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Solanum
Family:Solanaceae (Potato)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:southeast US
Status:
  • Weedy
Habitat:part shade, sun; disturbed soil; agricultural fields, roadsides, waste areas
Bloom season:May - September
Plant height:1 to 3 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:GP: UPL MW: FACU NCNE: FACU
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 5-petals Cluster type: raceme

[photo of flower] Clusters of stalked flowers opposite a leaf in the upper plant and at the tips of branching stems. Flowers are about ¾ inch across, star-shaped with 5 triangular petals fused in the lower half, white to violet and green at the base. The petals are mostly spreading but may be curled back. Protruding from the center are 5 stout yellow stamens surrounding a straight, slender, green style.

[photo of calyx] The calyx has 5 long lobes with a long taper to a pointed tip and typically spreading at the tip. The calyx and flower stalks are covered in star-shaped hairs and sparse prickles.

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf type: lobed Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are oblong to egg-shaped in outline, 2 to 6 inches long, up to 3 inches wide, both surfaces covered in star-shaped hairs, on a short stalk. Leaf edges are often wavy, and toothless but shallowly lobed, the lobes typically angular and resembling large teeth.

[photo of prickles on stem and leaves] Stems and major veins on the underside of leaves are variously covered in sharp, yellowish prickles. Stems are green and covered in star-shaped hairs. Colonies may be formed from creeping rhizomes.

Fruit: Fruit type: berry/drupe

[photo of developing fruit] Fruit is a round berry, about ½ inch in diameter, that ripens to yellow and becomes wrinkly when mature.

Notes:

Native to the US farther south and east of Minnesota, Horse Nettle is considered adventive here, but with climate change its natural range will naturally spread northward so in a few years it might treated as a native species after all. It was once an agricultural pest and listed as a county-level noxious weed but Round-up Ready crops took care of that.

Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓

Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest

  • Natural Shore Technologies - Using science to improve land and water
  • Minnesota Native Landscapes - Your Ecological Problem Solvers
  • Spangle Creek Labs - Native orchids, lab propagated
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Landscape Alternatives

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dzuik taken at a nursery in Sherburne County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Cooper C - Kasota Scientific and Natural Area
on: 2017-06-21 17:03:15

Found two of these near the parking lot at Kasota SNA.

Posted by: Kathryn Duerr - Winona
on: 2024-07-23 10:22:37

I've planted a native wildflower garden in support of saving the rusty patch bumblebees and continue to find horsenettle in the space. Should I leave it or pull it?

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2024-07-23 10:45:57

Kathryn, horse nettle is not native to MN. Personally, I'd treat it like any other weed.

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the spammers out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.