Species specifics: Carolina and western horsenettle

Fast facts

Perennial weeds that produce berries that look like small tomatoes
Commonly referred to by many names, such as bull nettle and devil’s tomato
Contains solanine that is toxic to cattle

What to look for

Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) and western horsenettle (Solanum dimidiatum) are toxic weeds known for causing producers heartache (and itchiness).

Carolina and western horsenettle have erect stems with yellow spines, are loosely branched and covered with thorns and gray hairs. are responsible for the itchiness one might experience after brushing against the plant with bare skin. The weeds can grow up to 2 feet tall and have leaves that are dark green ovals with pointed tips and are sharply lobed or wavy-toothed.

From May through October, horsenettle will bloom clusters of whiteish-to- purple flowers that produce green berries that turn yellow-orange as they ripen, somewhat resembling a tomato plant – a defining characteristic that prompted a common slang name for the plant, wild tomato or devil’s tomato. Other common names for this toxic nuisance include bull nettle, sand briar, devil’s potato, ball-nettle and apple-of-Sodom.

The entire plant contains solanine – a toxic glycoalkaloid that affects the gastrointestinal and neurological systems in cattle. Toxicity is highest in the berries and in late summer into fall once plants reach maturity. However, it generally takes high levels of ingestion to cause clinical symptoms in livestock.

In general, cattle will avoid eating horsenettle due to its bitter taste and thorny stems if other favorable forages are present but will consume the plant in overgrazing situations or in stored forages where sorting is difficult.

Where it is found

Because horsenettle is sensitive to frost, it thrives in hot and dry environments. As such, both species of horsenettle are common throughout the Southeast, the lower Midwest and the southeastern Great Plains, especially in warm and dry years. However, it has also become a problem as far north as the upper Midwest and along the eastern coast of the United States.

How to treat it

Apply 16 to 20 fluid ounces per acre of DuraCor® herbicide, 1.5 to 2.1 pints 24 to 34 ounces per acre of GrazonNext® HL herbicide or 20 to 32 fluid ounces per acre of GrazonPD3™ herbicide. Spray when plants begin to flower in early summer.

GrazonPD3™ is a Restricted Use Pesticide. GrazonPD3 is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. GrazonPD3 is not for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York State. Under normal field conditions DuraCor® is non-volatile. DuraCor has no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with DuraCor and to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated forage. DuraCor is not registered for sale or use in all states. GrazonNext® HL has no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with GrazonNext HL and to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated forage. Consult the label for full details. GrazonNext HL is not registered for sale or use in all states. GrazonNext HL is not for sale, distribution, or use in New York State and San Luis Valley of Colorado. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.