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Carolina horsenettle

Solanum carolinense

The Carolina horsenettle is a plant with spiky leaves and pretty purple flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in fields and gardens. Be careful, as its berries can be harmful if eaten!

Habitat: Fields and gardens

Appearance

The Carolina horsenettle is a prickly plant featuring thorny stems and small, star-shaped flowers typically purple or white with yellow centers. Its distinctive yellow-orange berries, resembling tiny tomatoes, grow in clusters and are a key identification feature.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilySolanaceaeGenusSolanum
Carolina horsenettle
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Carolina horsenettle

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each plant can produce hundreds of berries, spreading thousands of tiny seeds!

It's a cousin to tomatoes and potatoes, even though its berries are not safe to eat!

Its name comes from the plant's prickliness and its potential to harm grazing animals!

The seeds can stay alive in the soil for over 100 years, waiting to grow!

Special abilities

Ability

Thorny Defense

Carolina horsenettle has sharp thorns on its stems and leaves that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat it.

Ability

Deep Root Power

Carolina horsenettle can grow deep, spreading roots that help it survive droughts and sprout new plants after being cut.

Ability

Toxic Shield

Carolina horsenettle produces toxic compounds throughout its parts, which helps deter most herbivores from making it their meal.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Don't eat the berries or touch the spiky parts of the plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Carolina horsenettle?

30-100 cm

How wide does Carolina horsenettle spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Carolina horsenettle?

1-2.5 cm

When does Carolina horsenettle bloom?

Late spring to early fall

Is Carolina horsenettle edible?

No

Is Carolina horsenettle toxic?

Moderate

What is Carolina horsenettle's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Carolina horsenettle pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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