HORSENETTLE NIGHTSHADE
Solanum carolinese
Plant Characteristics
Height:
1' - 4'
Stem:
Multi-branched, prickly hairs and sharp yellow or white spines
Leaves:
Rough with tiny hairs
Flower:
Star-shaped with 5 pointy petals, blue, violet, or white
Bloom Time:
May to SeptemberThis plant belongs to the Nightshade family which means it is a toxic plant. Large amounts can poison livestock and humans if ingested. With this high risk, it is best to remove stands of this plant for safety purposes. It reproduces by seeds with an extensive root system, making it difficult to remove manually.
Spot Spray
Spot spray mature plants in late summer or fall.
Mow
Mowing will make it more susceptible to herbicide.
Cultural Plant Alternatives:
St. John’s Wort
Growing in moist soils, this plant has been known for its plethora of medicinal uses. It has commonly been used to treat depression and mood like symptoms. It prefers sites with full to partial sun.
Hog Peanut
This plant is a quick growing groundcover, forming 3 to 4 foot clumps as it grows. The fruit, also called “ground beans,” is eagerly sought as food due to the taste and nutritional value. The hog peanuts can be eaten raw or cooked soups or stews.
