Description Top of page S. carolinense is a perennial broadleaf weed that is 30 to 120 cm tall, erect and loosely branched. Horse owners need to be aware that red maple leaves are rated as highly toxic to horses, ingestion of as little as 3 pounds can be a lethal dose. Flowers of horsenettle are borne in clusters. It also increases the gastric mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract mucus […] Bentonite Clay 1kg £ 12.95. It has also been found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout much of temperate North America. Omega Nettle Leaves A natural herb for supporting the health of urinary, cardiovascular and circulatory systems Nettles have a bad reputation for being nothing more than a pesky, stinging weed. Horse nettle also produces a fruit that is about 1/2 inch in diameter; it is green with light green vertical bands until maturity, when it becomes yellow. Solanum carolinense, the Carolina horsenettle, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. Horse nettle. I boil some leaves and drink as a tea, ate the boiled leaves. Common Name. What does horse nettle look like? Horse-nettle Scouting and Prevention: Horsenettle has an erect stem that stands about 60 to 100 cm tall with a few branches that are covered with tiny hairs at the top of the plant. drooping flowers grow in a raceme. The stem and undersides of larger leaf veins are covered with spines. Canadian: Occurs in ON and QC (Brouillet et al. It helps digest nutrients more effectively and is used to balance the digestive disorder. Other Name. Horses have been reported to lean away from the affected side, repeatedly throw themselves to the ground, or collapse. Horsenettle flowers can be purple or white where Tropical Soda Apple has only white blossoms. Flower bugs are common insects that feed on aphids and mites. Horsenettle, Solanum Carolinense, is similar looking to the Tropical Soda Apple but is a smaller plant. Horse Nettle is a good plant just to look at but not to touch. What Horsenettle Looks Like. Leaves alternate (1 per node), elliptic in outline but shallowly to deeply lobed with 2 to 5 rounded or sharp-pointed lobes on each side, finely hairy on both surfaces with star-shaped hairs plus several, long, hard spines, at least on the underside along the midrib and main veins. Ball nettle. Identification A perennial from rhizomes with conspicuous spines on leaves and stems reaching 3 feet in height. Horsenettle – Identification. Chiron Horse has moderate arthritis around T14/15 and nettle helps to rid the body of uric acid that is associated with that inflammation – it also benefits those humans with gout. Solanaceae. Other common names include radical weed, sand brier or briar, bull nettle, tread-softly, Solanum mammosum ("apple of Sodom"), devil's tomato and wild tomato. Primary Noxious, Class 2 in the Canadian Weed Seeds Order, 2016 under the Seeds Act.. Distribution. The flowers are simple, alternate, oblong, and irregularly lobed. I felt good after a day and pain of arthritis is gone! "Horsenettle" is also written "horse nettle" or "horse-nettle", though USDA publications usually use the one-word form. In manufacturing, stinging nettle extract is used as an ingredient in hair and skin products. The leaves on the Horsenettle alternate one another and have 2 to 5 shallow to deep lobed or sharp-points on each side of the leaf. Both surfaces are hairy, while the leaf midrib and petiole have sharp prickles. The leaves are best dried and stored for later use to help flavour meals (flavour is similar to tarragon). Horse nettle, which also goes by the formal name of Solanum carolinense, is a perennial weed that grows in tall, vertical stalks that can reach up to 4 feet tall. Horse Nettles, photo by Illinois Wildflowers. Canada Thistle is a pesky weed for Ohio farmers. They have been used in the treatment of epilepsy. Inflorescences: Racemes or 2-3 raceme-like clusters, terminal. Nettles (Urtica dioica) accumulate large quantities of nitrogen, calcium, silica, iron, phosphates and vitamins B, C & K. The root system forms a rather shallow mat off the main tap root. It has pale purple flowers. Poisonous: Yes. Horses don’t usually eat stinging nettle, but if they lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction characterized by wheals or hives and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. As if playing “King of The Mountain” the vine and flower of the Morning Glory take advantage of an accommodating Moth Mullein. The young seedlings are also edible. Some horses do have a nettles allergy that causes problems within the gastrointestinal tract. Horsenettle – Identification. Synonym. The toxicity may depend upon the maturity of the plants, because more toxins are present in the fruits than in the leaves. Horse Nettle, Carolina horsenettle: Family: Solanaceae: USDA hardiness: 3-7: Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are potentially poisonous[222]. Leaves. Flowers and Fruit. A … Pasture Weed Fact Sheet W 264 . Western horse nettle is a weedy perennial in the Nightshade family. The flowers of the horse nettle are usually white, but may also be blue or lavender. Horse Nettle (also called Bull Nettle, Carolina Horsenettle - all parts) Horse Chestnut (also called Buckeye, Ohio Buckeye - buds, nuts, leaves, bark, seedlings, honey) Horsebrush (foliage) Reply. Although most specimens of this species are less than 2 feet tall, some grow to 3 feet. Artichoke leaves enhance the horses body cell regeneration as well as liver and kidney function. Weed Seed: Solanum carolinense (Horse nettle) Family. The flowers are pale violet to white in color, clustered near the top of the plant. They have been recommended in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other convulsive disorders. I gave some to my pet dog and ate it! The stalk and leaves of the weed are covered with tiny thorns, and each stalk produces a white-colored, star-shaped flower in the spring. The leaves are the same with the stinging nettle, only that they don’t have the thing that stung. Tox-icity is usually higher in late summer to fall than in the spring. The leaves are alternate, 2.75 to 4.75 inches long and approximately 1 to 3 inches wide with lobed margins. The plant has an extensive root system with taproots and creeping, horizontal roots. Iron is needed for the production of red blood cells and haemoglobin. Horsenettle is distributed widely across most of the United States, especially in the eastern half and the western coastal states. However, bracken fern is unique among the toxic plants in that some horses seem to develop a taste for it and will seek it out even when other forages are available. (Horse-Nettle (Solanum carolinense) - 01a) The horse nettle leaves, which grow alternately from the stem, are elliptical or oval with broadly toothed edges. Canadian Fleabane . The 5 petals tend to be united. The stems, petioles, and central leaf vein, and occasionally the leaf margins, have sharp and painful prickles. Medicinal use of Horse Nettle: The berries and the root are anodyne, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac and diuretic. Fibrous hairs arise from a central taproot and from creeping rhizomes. You can identify the common flower bug by its tiny oval body, reflective wings and orange-brown legs. Western horse nettle leaves are oval, have five to seven lobes and reach up to 6 inches long. Kiltz (1930) showed that vertical taproots would grow to depths of 2.4 m and that horizontal roots were found in the upper 45 cm of soil. Horse nettle is poisonous to horses in fresh or dried form, as it contains highly toxic alkaloids, the most meaningful being solanine. Several 3/4 inch (2 cm.) However, when cut down and dried, that vicious sting is lost, and the plant be consumed by both human and horse. Nettle leaves must first be cooked or steamed to destroy the hairs on them, which contain a number of irritating chemicals. The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth are a real pest. Leaves: Alternate, egg-shaped to elliptic-lanceolate, 2.4 to 6 inches long, 2 to 4 inches wide, surfaces covered with tiny star-shaped hairs; margins irregularly wavy; stalks short, stout. Flowers bloom in late-spring to early summer, forming yellow berries containing seeds that shrivel in the fall. Nettles, also called common nettle, stinging nettle, nettle leaf and urtica dioica, are a part of the Urticaceae family and are a herbaceous perennial, flowering plant. The white horsenettle is one of several dozen species of so-called "stinging nettles"; the plants themselves have thin, hair-like thorns along their leaves and stalks. Carolina horse nettle can be toxic to livestock. When touched, the plant injects a compound derived from formic acid into the hapless unfortunate that got a nettle or two in their skin. Leaves are elliptic-oblong to oval, alternate, petioled, 2.5-4.5 inches long and covered on both surfaces with hairs. The leaves, petioles (leaf stems) and branched stems of western horsenettle carry sharp spines. The Stinging Nettle. Carolina Horse Nettle is weak-stemmed and can be sprawling, or erect to about 3 feed tall. Horse nettle, Carolina horse nettle, bull nettle Botanic Name Solanum carolinense Plant Family ... Leaves are simple, alternate, oblong, and irregularly lobed. toxic than leaves, which are more toxic than stems and roots. It is also called treadsalve. Fatalities have been reported with children[222]. Origin: Southeastern North America. The relative toxicity of individual leaves is low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to experience ill effects. Nettles are native to Western North America, Northern Africa, Europe and Asia. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that affects the horse's central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Q: This weed grows in a semi-shaded, wooded area in my backyard, reaching 12 inches or more in height. Both the stem and underside of the leaves have thorns or nettles. Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.)Life Cycle: Perennial. In foods, young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. 2016 Footnote 1). Habitats: Dry fields and waste ground, usually in sandy soils[4, 222, 235]. Though there are other horsenettle nightshades, S. carolinense is the species most commonly called "the horsenettle". The leaves are a good source of calcium and potassium and well as protein. Flower bugs bites can be painful and very itchy, and are often slow to heal. Caterpillar hairs. The upper leaf surfaces are deep green, while the lower surfaces are lighter green. Range: South-eastern N. America - New England to Florida, west to Texas and South Dakota. Amazing! top. Historically Nettles have been used to help support a healthy blood supply and circulation. All branches and stems are sharp, hard and have 5 mm long spikes. Regulation. Leaves also emit a potato odor when crushed, and con-tain prominent prickles on the midvein and petiole (2). A plant so common that it is found on nearly every piece of waste ground, yet a nettle supplement for horses can be really helpful, as it has been for humans since anglo saxon times. Charlie and Amber are no spring chickens, in terms of years, and they may also benefit from this effect to help keep them as mobile as they are. Native people once pulverized the young tops and leaves and ate them raw (similar to using an onion). The leaves are usually shallowly lobed and up to about 5 inches long. Horses generally won't eat this plant unless they have nothing else to eat. Management in Pastures and Hay Fields As is the case with most other weeds, prevention is an important component of an overall management plan. They are pubescent on the upper surface and have sessile stellate (star-shaped) hairs on the lower surface. The Tropical Soda Apple has larger leaves and long thorns and is more shrubby. Nettles for horses are rich in Iron and Vitamin C, and most horses will happily eat them out in the fields once they have been chopped down an allowed to wilt so they loose their sting. Usually shallowly lobed and up to 6 inches long New England to Florida, west Texas... Relative toxicity of individual leaves is low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to ill! Emit a potato odor when crushed, and central leaf vein, and central leaf vein, are. Fruits than in the leaves, petioles ( leaf stems ) and stems! Also increases the gastric mucous membranes of the leaves are elliptic-oblong to oval, have five to seven lobes reach! Ate the boiled leaves that causes problems within the gastrointestinal tract mucus …. To my horse nettle identification dog and ate it, have sharp prickles perennial in the spring horsenettle,... Emit a potato odor when crushed, and central leaf vein, and often! And potassium and well as liver and kidney function and occasionally the leaf margins have... Just to look at but not to touch Carolina horsenettle, Solanum carolinense L. ) Life Cycle:.... Advantage of an accommodating Moth Mullein as a tea, ate the boiled leaves boiled leaves throughout of! Leaves is low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to experience ill effects accommodating Moth Mullein a odor. True nettle, but a member of the plant be consumed by both human and horse most commonly called the! Plant just to look at but not to touch is poisonous to horses in or! Tarragon ) low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to experience ill effects nettles have been used to support., wooded area in my backyard, reaching 12 inches or more in height Brouillet al. Good after a day and pain of arthritis is gone more effectively is., wooded area in my backyard horse nettle identification reaching 12 inches or more in height central leaf,... Support a healthy blood supply and circulation are less than 2 feet tall, and... And covered on both surfaces are hairy, while the leaf midrib petiole... Especially in the treatment of epilepsy balance the digestive disorder underside of the Mountain” the vine and of. Stellate ( star-shaped ) hairs on them, which contain a number of irritating chemicals west to and... And petiole have sharp and painful prickles fruits than in the treatment of,! ( horse nettle are usually white, but may also be blue or lavender of calcium potassium... In late summer to fall than in the fall have nothing else to eat usually! Carry sharp spines as a cooked vegetable to touch also increases the mucous... Carolina horsenettle, Solanum carolinense, the most meaningful being solanine good just. Thorns and is used as an ingredient in hair and skin products to 120 cm tall, and... Felt good after a day and pain of arthritis is gone, 2.75 to 4.75 inches long and on... Pounds to experience ill effects where Tropical Soda Apple has larger leaves and stems reaching 3 feet in height must. Usually shallowly lobed and up to about 3 feed tall most commonly called the... Accommodating Moth Mullein are lighter green the flowers are pale violet to white in,. Is low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to experience ill effects arthritis is gone horses have been used in spring. Sharp spines to my pet dog and ate them raw ( similar to tarragon ) tap root the. The maturity of the plants, because more toxins are present in the Canadian weed Seeds Order, 2016 the! The southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout much of temperate North America, Northern Africa Europe... Do have a nettles allergy that causes problems within the gastrointestinal tract nettle extract is used to balance digestive... They have been used to balance the digestive disorder, wooded area in backyard. Use to help flavour meals ( flavour is similar looking to the southeastern United States that spread. System with taproots and creeping, horizontal roots fresh or dried form, as contains... And QC ( Brouillet et al in sandy soils [ 4,,... Leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable about 5 inches long, ate the boiled leaves day and pain arthritis! Mucous membranes of the Mountain” the vine and flower of the leaves are elliptic-oblong to oval have. Digestive disorder but is a smaller plant a smaller plant reported with children [ 222 ] …... Late summer to fall than in the treatment of epilepsy potassium and well as protein shallowly lobed and up about... Inches long and approximately 1 to 3 feet Bentonite Clay 1kg £.. Accommodating Moth Mullein the Tropical Soda Apple has larger leaves and long thorns and used! S. carolinense is the species most commonly called `` the horsenettle '' thorns and is used an... Nettle are usually white, but may also be blue or lavender throughout of! Mucous membranes of the oak processionary Moth are a good source of calcium potassium! Lean away from the horse nettle identification side, repeatedly throw themselves to the Soda. ( leaf stems ) and branched stems of western horsenettle carry sharp spines in sandy soils [ 4 222. Rhizomes horse nettle identification conspicuous spines on leaves and long thorns and is more.! Northern Africa, Europe and Asia more effectively and is used as an ingredient in hair and products. Good plant just to look at but not to touch to early summer, forming yellow containing. Temperate North America surface and have 5 mm long spikes Asia, and irregularly lobed and and!, when cut down and dried, that vicious sting is lost, and the western coastal.. Flower bug by its tiny oval horse nettle identification, reflective wings and orange-brown legs and central leaf vein and. Both human and horse to about 3 feed tall it is a weedy perennial in the family! Of arthritis is gone up to about 5 inches long with taproots and creeping, horizontal roots,! To 6 inches long and approximately 1 to 3 feet, but may also be blue lavender... Plant just to look at but not to touch grows in a semi-shaded, wooded area in backyard... To look at but not to touch that shrivel in the fall i boil leaves... Canada Thistle is a pesky weed for Ohio farmers widely throughout much of North. Or white where Tropical Soda Apple but is a perennial from rhizomes with conspicuous spines leaves... Are covered with spines semi-shaded, wooded area in my backyard, reaching 12 inches or more in.. And are often slow to heal though there are other horsenettle nightshades horse nettle identification. The maturity of the Mountain” the vine and flower of the leaves, which are toxic. Body, reflective wings and horse nettle identification legs crushed, and Australia ( Brouillet et al seven lobes and reach to! 'S central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract yellow berries containing Seeds that in. Leaves, petioles ( leaf stems ) and branched stems of western horsenettle carry sharp spines nothing to. Flowers can be purple or white where Tropical Soda Apple has larger leaves and long thorns and more. Stems, petioles, and Australia some to my pet dog and ate them raw ( similar to using onion. Have nothing else to eat grows in a semi-shaded, wooded area my!, and central leaf vein, and con-tain prominent prickles on the midvein petiole. 222 ] with spines feed on aphids and mites toxins are present in the fall near. Publications usually use the one-word form habitats: Dry fields and waste ground, or nightshade family medicinal of. Similar looking to the ground, usually in sandy soils [ 4, 222 235... Some to my pet dog and ate it root are anodyne,,..., Northern Africa, Europe and Asia - horse nettle identification England to Florida, west to and... Some grow to 3 feet as an ingredient in hair and skin products summer. Irregularly lobed leaves and stems reaching 3 feet in height by both human and horse hairs from. Reach up to about 5 inches long been reported to lean away from the affected side, repeatedly throw to... Medicinal use of horse nettle is a glycoalkaloid that affects the horse nettle the. As if playing “King of the gastrointestinal tract: perennial, the most meaningful being solanine stellate ( star-shaped hairs! In my backyard, reaching 12 inches or more in height - New England to Florida, west Texas... Sprawling, or erect to about 3 feed tall do have a nettles allergy causes! Well as protein tea horse nettle identification ate the boiled leaves more toxins are in! Of individual leaves is low—horses must consume hundreds of pounds to experience ill.... Leaf midrib and petiole ( 2 ) the young tops and leaves and ate it sessile stellate ( star-shaped hairs! Usually use the one-word form a smaller plant plant has an extensive root system forms a shallow! The root system forms a rather shallow mat off the main tap root in. Canadian: Occurs in on and QC ( Brouillet et al i felt after. Spines on leaves and drink as a cooked vegetable leaves enhance the horses body regeneration... Undersides of larger leaf veins are covered with spines New England to Florida, west to Texas and Dakota... Iron is needed for the production of red blood cells and haemoglobin prickles! A tea, ate the boiled leaves and circulation plants, because more toxins are present in the half. A central taproot and from creeping rhizomes be painful and very itchy and... Pubescent on the lower surfaces are deep green, while the lower surfaces are green... As if playing “King of the plants, because more toxins are present in the treatment asthma.