Solanum carolinense var. carolinense
Carolina horse-nettle
(c) Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense (Carolina horse-nettle) is a California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by stellate hairs and runner root system.
Carolina horse-nettle is a naturalized perennial herb found in disturbed places, fields, and roadsides at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale violet to white flowers approximately 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter with yellow throat and lobe midveins. Growing 20 to 120 centimeters tall with spreading stems covered in slender white to yellow prickles, it has adventitious roots that allow it to spread aggressively. Its leaves are 2 to 15 centimeters long, ovate to lanceolate, with coarsely toothed edges and dense stellate hairs on the undersides. The fruit is nearly spherical, green to yellow, measuring 10 to 18 millimeters across.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Distinguished by stellate hairs and runner root system.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places, fields, roadsides
Elevation: < 1700 m
Outside California: native to central and eastern United States, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Lycianthes: Solanum anthers open by pores at tips; Lycianthes anthers split lengthwise.; vs Physalis: Solanum lacks papery lantern around fruit; Physalis has distinctive inflated calyx covering the berry.; vs Phacelia: Solanum has yellow anther cone; Phacelia has protruding stamens and coiled flower clusters.; vs Capsicum: Solanum has rotate star flowers; Capsicum has flowers with spreading petals not forming flat star.; vs Salvia: Solanum has 5 stamens forming yellow cone; Salvia has 2 stamens and square stems.
Frequently asked questions
When does Solanum carolinense var. carolinense bloom?
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Solanum carolinense var. carolinense belong to?
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
Is Solanum carolinense var. carolinense invasive in California?
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Solanum carolinense var. carolinense grow in?
Solanum carolinense var. carolinense grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places, fields, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.