Western Horsenettle

Biological Name:

Solanum dimidiatum (Western-Horsenettle)

Natural Habitat:

Western-Horsenettle is a type of herbaceous plant that is native to the western United States. It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, prairies, and open woodlands.

Description:

Western-Horsenettle is a perennial herb that is native to North America. It has small white or purple flowers and spiny leaves. It is often found in dry open areas and can be a nuisance in gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Western horsenettle edible?
A: All parts of the plant are poisonous, with the level of solanine being highest in the fall. Toxicity of these plants varies depending upon the maturity, environment and portion of the plant ingested. The berries are the most toxic when they are mature.
Source

Q: Can you touch horse nettle?
A: If you see this weed in your garden do not touch! The spiny stems of horsenettle will prick, and some people will develop allergic reactions. It is quite painful, and if you have this on your property it is best to dig up with a trowel, getting all the roots.
Source

Q: How poisonous are nettles?
A: 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.
Source

Q: What is the most poisonous plant to horses?
A: Ragwort. While ragwort has a bitter taste and is rarely eaten by horses when it is growing, when it is wilted or dried it becomes more palatable. … Foxglove. … Deadly nightshade. … Buttercups. … Acorns. … Yew. … Privet. … Rhododendron.
Source

Q: Is horsenettle poisonous to cattle?
A: LIVESTOCK TOXICITY Horsenettle is a toxic plant, however, reports of animal poisoning are very rare. Usually, most animals tend to stay away due to its sharp prickles that can cause injury in the mouth and food pipe.
Source

Q: What are three plants that are poisonous to horses?
A: Foxglove, rhododendrons, oleander and Japanese yew are deadly to horses. Be able to identify these plants and avoid placing them near animals. About 0.1 percent bodyweight of Japanese yew leaves may be lethal to a mature horse. Often, death occurs before treatment of toxicity is present.
Source

Q: Is horse nettle poisonous to humans?
A: The berries of both Carolina horsenettle and black nightshade are green when immature. However, the horsenettle berries turn yellow when mature and the black nightshade berries become black. The Leaves are toxic also, but to a lesser degree. All classes of livestock and humans have been poisoned by them.
Source

Q: What happens if you touch horse nettle?
A: The leaves and young stems of this herbaceous plant are fitted with stinging hairs tipped with formic acid and other irritants. If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash.
Source

Q: Is horse nettle good for anything?
A: 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.
Source

Q: Is horse nettle toxic to dogs?
A: Horsenettle is a toxic plant, however, reports of animal poisoning are very rare. Usually, most animals tend to stay away due to its sharp prickles that can cause injury in the mouth and food pipe. A toxic component, a glycoalkaloid known as solanine, occurs in varying concentrations in different plant parts.
Source

Q: Do nettles have venom?
A: Other chemicals contained in the stinging nettle venom, and the ones we now think are primarily responsible for the pain it induces, are histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin.
Source

Q: Can cows eat horse nettle?
A: Yes! Your Livestock Can Eat Horsenettle! (and some other southern favorites too) – On Pasture.
Source

Q: What kills western horsenettle?
A: The best time to treat it is in the late summer or early fall with glyphosate or dicamba. This species is sensitive to frost, so applications should be made about 2 weeks before a killing frost.
Source

Q: Is horsenettle invasive?
A: Facts about Carolina horse nettle This herbaceous plant is considered invasive to the rest of North America and has been found in the Sierra Nevada range, Central Valley, south coast ranges and northern ranges of California. Favors disturbed areas as well as grasslands and dunes.
Source

Q: How does horsenettle spread?
A: Horsenettle often grows in colonies because it spreads by underground rhizomes. Older plants can grow to be 4 ft. tall on tough, woody stems. The star-shaped flowers are white or light-blue with five petals.
Source

Q: Is horsenettle a perennial?
A: Horsenettle is a perennial, rhizomatous, broadleaf plant (Fig. 1) that belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is a highly difficult-to-control weed in grass pastures, meadows, and hay fields.
Source

Q: What happens if a horse eats stinging nettle?
A: 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.
Source

Q: Why are dried nettles good for horses?
A: Nettle herb contains high levels of vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy skin and coat. Nettles are primarily diuretic and blood cleansing therefore often used for laminitis and arthritis to clear congestion. It is also excellent for horses competing in very strenuous or power demanding activities.
Source

Q: How much nettle do you give a horse?
A: As a rule of thumb, approximately 30-50 grams should be fed per day. The dried leaves can simply be added to the horse’s regular feed.
Source

Q: What is Carolina horsenettle good for?
A: Carolina horse nettle was used by Native Americans and the early settlers. It was listed in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1936. It has been used for medicinal purposes such as treating poison ivy, epilepsy, asthma, bronchitis, and tetanus.
Source

Q: What is the most toxic plant to horses?
A: Ragwort. While ragwort has a bitter taste and is rarely eaten by horses when it is growing, when it is wilted or dried it becomes more palatable. … Foxglove. … Deadly nightshade. … Buttercups. … Acorns. … Yew. … Privet. … Rhododendron.
Source

Q: Is horsenettle poisonous to goats?
A: Any livestock including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs as well as horses may be poisoned after eating large quantities of horse nettle.
Source

About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.