Western Horse-Nettle (Solanum dimidiatum)
Description: The leaves, petioles and branched stems of western horse nettle have sharp spines. Oval, five- to seven-lobed leaves are up to 6 inches long. Flowers are purple to violet (sometimes white) and grow at the tip in terminal clusters. Flowers give rise to ball-shaped fruits that are 0.75 to 1.5 inches in diameter and yellow at maturity. Fruits, even though they look like tomatoes, are deadly poisonous and are probably responsible for “Crazy Cow Syndrome”.
Family: Solanaceae
Synonym(s): Solanum perplexum, Solanum torreyi, Western horsenettle, Western Horse-Nettle
USDA Symbol: SODI
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Color: White, Purple
Bloom Time: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Photos from St. Edwards Park in Austin.
Missing Images: Plant, Close-Up, Fruit-Seed
Data Completeness: Complete
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
