365 Urban Species. #279: Horsenettle

Photos by cottonmanifesto. Location: In front of Beth Israel hospital, Boston.

Urban species #279: Horsenettle Solanum carolinense

The star-shaped flower of horsenettle, five petals curling back from the yellow stamens at the center, makes it instantly recognizable as a member of the nightshade family. The petals may be white or bluish, and the whole flower is rather larger (up to an inch or two across) than many other nightshades. You can tell by its prickly leaves and stems that it's a tough customer, and if you get past them, you'll find that all parts of the plant, including it's tempting yellow berries, are poisonous. It is native to the southeast of the United States, but has spread across the continent, and been transported elsewhere (including Japan, where one study found 39 species of arthropod feeding on it, despite its toxicity). It grows on roadsides and waste areas, and spreads vegetatively by its roots, or with the help of birds (including, interestingly, wood ducks), who are able to eat the fruits without ill effects.

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