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:


Animal Care Animal well being, animal care, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal rights. What's the difference. L. Chichester & K. Dam 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-09
Animal Care: Tips for youth communicating with the public Animal care is what it says, providing care for an animal. Responsible livestock producers provide the best care and treatment for their animals, ensure they are receiving high quality feed, fresh clean cool water and appropriate shelter, quick treatment if ill, and low-stress ha... L. Chichester 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS 17-00
Western Area 4-H Breeding Livestock Record Book 4-H Record Book to track a 4-H Breeding Livestock project for 5-18 year-olds. Tables for feed, growth, breeding, medical and expense tracking. Chvilicek, S, Conklin, K, Mitchell, S 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
An Overview of Agricultural Production and Agricultural Water Use in Humboldt County, Nevada, and the Risk From Withdrawing Irrigation Water Agriculture is an important economic sector in Humboldt County, Nevada. There are over 350 farms and ranches in the county that operate on over 808,000 acres. Sales from agricultural products totaled just over $135 million in 2012 (last census of agriculture). Schultz, B. 2017, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Developing a Drought Management Plan Foster, S.S. 2016, Cattle Producer’s Handbook, Drought and Other Natural Disasters Section

Associated Programs

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

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Horsenettle