Horsenettle, also called Carolina horsenettle or bullnettle, is a her- baceous perennial that is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Some familiar members of this family include to- bacco, tomato and potato. … Horsenettle plants emerge each spring from seed or from rhizomes.

Is horse nettle annual or perennial?

Solanum carolinense, the Carolina horsenettle, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout much of temperate North America.

How does horse nettle spread?

Horsenettle often grows in colonies because it spreads by underground rhizomes. Older plants can grow to be 4 ft. tall on tough, woody stems. … Since it’s a perennial, you won’t usually find it as a mature plant in frequently cultivated areas, such as vegetable gardens.

Is horse nettle invasive?

Silverleaf nightshade and Carolina horsenettle have the potential to invade natural areas, pastures, and cropland. Once established, plants form dense colonies from an extensive root system. Infestations reduce crop production, forage quality and quantity, and serve as a host for insects and plant diseases.

How toxic is horse nettle?

Horsenettle is characterized by hard, sharp, yellowish spines found on the stems and leaves. They are easily found in pastures since most animals avoid eating it. All parts of the plant are poisonous, with the level of solanine being highest in the fall.

Is horse nettle good for anything?

Horse nettle has been used as an antispasmodic and sedative, most probably first by American Indians. African Americans in the South once usedthe root and berries for seizures and menstrual problems (Le Strange 1977). Horse nettle berries were also once used as a topical treatment for mange in dogs.

Can you touch horse nettle?

Stinging nettle If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. Thankfully the symptoms usually do not persist longer than 24 hours.

How do you get rid of horsenettle in pastures?

The most complete control of horsenettle is to mow at 30-day intervals and treat the final re-growth in fall with a systemic herbicide. The best time for the first mowing is right after horsenettle has come into full bloom, about 30 days after shoot emergence.

Is horse nettle poisonous to dogs?

Other poisonous nightshade species include bittersweet nightshade, black nightshade, and horse nettle. Some familiar food plants like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant also belong to the nightshade family. The edible parts of these plants are non-toxic, however the leaves and stems are poisonous if ingested.

How do I get rid of silverleaf nightshade?

Hand pulling is the best option to manage Silverleaf Nightshade. Clipping or mowing this weed will only allow it to re-grow. Make sure to include summer cereal into your crop rotation due to the fact that they are tolerant to herbicides that need to be used on Silverleaf Nightshade.

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How do you get rid of horse nettle?

Horse nettle spreads primarily through deep rhizomes. Spray or paint the plants with an herbicide containing glyphosate. This is a total vegetation killer, so shield desirable plants. A systemic herbicide, glyphosate is transported throughout the plant and into the roots.

Does horse nettle have thorns?

The leaves and stems are often covered with fine hairs and prickly spines. The flowers, which appear at the top of the plant from June through August, are three-quarters to one inch across and range from light purple, blue to white.

How do you control nettle in horses?

Both surfaces are hairy, while the leaf midrib and petiole have sharp prickles. Fibrous hairs arise from a central tap- root and from creeping rhizomes. Flowers of horsenettle are borne in clusters. The five white to pale-violet petals give the flowers their characteristic star shape.

Is horse nettle bad for horses?

Horse nettle is poisonous to horses in fresh or dried form, as it contains highly toxic alkaloids, the most meaningful being solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that affects the horse’s central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Horses generally won’t eat this plant unless they have nothing else to eat.

How do I know if my horse has nettle?

Horsenettle Identification Although it still has smooth leaf margins at this point, the plant is beginning to show its true nature because it has prickly spines along the vein on the undersides of the leaves. As they mature, some of the leaves develop lobes and numerous hairs and spines. The stems also develop spines.

How do I get rid of nightshade in my pasture?

Glyphosate works well on nightshade just after fruiting in fall, or in early summer before it flowers but after it leafs out. A setup with an attached sprayer is easy for the average home gardener to use. Spray the herbicide directly on the nightshade leaves until they’re wet.

Does vinegar help nettle stings?

If you have an itchy bite, dab a drop of vinegar on it. The vinegar can help reduce stinging and burning sensations. It can also act as a natural disinfectant if you’ve been scratching too much. If you need more relief, try soaking a washcloth in cold water and vinegar, and then applying it to the bite.

What are the side effects of stinging nettle?

Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.

Is horse nettle fruit edible?

The round green fruit resemble a striped water melon. When ripe it is red and slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball. One is safe saying the fruit is not edible because it certainly is toxic at some stage.

What kills silverleaf nightshade?

A mixture of either Grazon P+D™, Weedmaster™, or Range Star™ is recommended to control silverleaf nightshade. Weedmaster™ and Range Star™ both contain dicamba and 2,4-D.

Is silverleaf nightshade poisonous to dogs?

The nightshade plant is in the Solanaceae family and Solanum genus. There are multiple species of nightshade, all poisonous to your dog if ingested. Common names include deadly nightshade, black nightshade, bittersweet nightshade, and silverleaf nightshade.

How do you manage Nightshades?

Small infestations of bitter nightshade can be controlled through digging and pulling. This is most effective in loose soils or after rain. Care should be taken to remove as much of the root system as possible. If the plants are growing into adjacent vegetation, the vines can be cut and left, while the root is dug out.

When Should I spray my nettle for horses?

When to Apply: Western horsenettle should be sprayed in the spring when the plants begin to flower. The herbicide can be applied with a boom or boomless broadcast sprayer able to deliver a total spray volume of 10 to 30 gallons per acre.