Stem

  •  1-3 ft. tall, branched, covered with spines less than 0.2 in. long and short hairs
Photo of horsenettle plant with leaves and thorns
 

Leaves

  • Alternate, oval to lance-shaped and 3-6 in. long; spines often on veins on undersides of leaves; edges (margins) are wavy to lobed
  • Leaves covered with tiny yellow hairs; hairs appear star-shaped with magnification 
Photo of horsenettle plant with leaves

 

Flower

  • Star-shaped with 5 white to pale violet petals; 0.75-1.5 in. diameter; 5-20 flowers clustered on stalks at tips of branches
  • Berries are round 0.25-0.75 in. diameter, shiny, yellow and resemble tiny tomatoes 
Photo of horsenettle plant with purple and white flowers
 

Root

  •  Deep, creeping root system
Photo of horsenettle plant
 

 

Other

  • Grows best in sandy, well-drained soils; often infests crop fields and pastures; no known occurences in Nevada
  • Perennial; reproduces by seed and creeping roots
  • Also known as Carolina horsenettle; native to North America; toxic to livestock and humans; hosts a number of diseases and insects that attack related plants, such as tomato and potato
Photo of horsenettle plant with yellow fruit

Control

  • Tillage, mowing and grazing are NOT effective; repeated hand-digging of individual plants can be effective for small infestations
  • Apply 2,4-D or glyphosate to young, actively growing plants; imazapyr to actively growing plants; picloram at full flower
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Horsenettle, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

 

Also of Interest:

 
Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection
This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N...
Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress
Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada.
B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
African mustard plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard
African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of common crupina stem
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina
Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of Common St. Johnswort plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common St. Johnswort
Common St. Johnswort is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

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Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

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Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

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Green Industry Training

A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper