Horsenettle in Peach Plantings
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Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) is an herbaceous perennial with a few branches that can reach a height of 3 feet. Spines are scattered along stems and central veins on leaf undersides. Oval, irregularly lobed leaves are 2 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 inches long and alternately arranged on stems. Upper stems end in small clusters of white star-shaped flowers with obvious yellow anthers. Round green-yellow fruits, partially enclosed in a papery cover, are 1⁄2 inch in diameter. Plants spread by seed and rhizomes.
Horsenettle growth habit.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Horsenettle in bloom.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Horsenettle flowers.
(Photo: Florida Division of Plant Industry, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Mow repeatedly to starve root systems.
- Apply systemic post-emergent herbicides while plants are young.
- Avoid cultivation, which spreads rhizomes.
