Stem

 1-3 ft. tall, branched, covered with spines less than 0.2 in. long and short hairs

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

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

Root

 Deep, creeping root system

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

Heidi Kratsch

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
*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
*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
*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

Master Gardeners of Nevada

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

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Horsenettle