Native Plants
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Solanum dimidiatum
Solanum dimidiatum Raf.
Western Horsenettle, Western Horse-nettle
Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Synonym(s): Solanum perplexum, Solanum torreyi
USDA Symbol: SODI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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”.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: 2 feet tall, but some grow to 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CA , FL , GA , IL , KS , LA , MO , NM , OK , SC , TXFrom the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1230 Collected 2008-10-21 in Anderson County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Solanum dimidiatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Solanum dimidiatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Solanum dimidiatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-23Research By: TWC Staff