Carolina horsenettle

Carolina horsenettle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Tracheobionta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Solanum Species: carolinense
Binomial nomenclature
Solanum carolinense L.

Carolina horsenettle, Solanum carolinense, also known as "bull nettle", and "apple of Sodom" is a member of the family Solanaceae, or nightshade family.

It is a spiny, herbaceous plant, native to southeastern United States, that has spread widely throughout North America. Its flowers are usually white with yellow centers, though there is a blue variant, resembling the tomato flower. The fruit also resembles a tomato, the immature fruit dark green with light green stripes, turning yellow as it matures, and containing around 60 seeds. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Children and cattle have been poisoned by eating the green fruit. Reputedly the fruit when mature is non-poisonous or less poisonous.

It is on the noxious weed list for several US states. It can spread vegetatively by underground stolens as well as by seed. It is resistant to many herbicides; in fact, herbicide use often selects for horsenettle, as it removes competing weeds. It is an especially despised weed by gardeners who hand weed, as the spines tend to penetrate the skin, then break off, when the plant is grasped.

Note: Horsenettle is also written "horse nettle" or "horse-nettle." though USDA publications usually use horsenettle.