Nettles (Urtica dioica) accumulate large quantities of nitrogen, calcium, silica, iron, phosphates and vitamins B, C & K. The leaves, petioles (leaf stems) and branched stems of western horsenettle carry sharp spines. Historically Nettles have been used to help support a healthy blood supply and circulation. "Horsenettle" is also written "horse nettle" or "horse-nettle", though USDA publications usually use the one-word form. Fatalities have been reported with children[222]. Caterpillar hairs. It has pale purple flowers. Nettles are native to Western North America, Northern Africa, Europe and Asia. Horse nettle is poisonous to horses in fresh or dried form, as it contains highly toxic alkaloids, the most meaningful being solanine. The Stinging Nettle. The 5 petals tend to be united. Other Name. Western horse nettle is a weedy perennial in the Nightshade family. Origin: Southeastern North America. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout much of temperate North America. The stalk and leaves of the weed are covered with tiny thorns, and each stalk produces a white-colored, star-shaped flower in the spring. Kiltz (1930) showed that vertical taproots would grow to depths of 2.4 m and that horizontal roots were found in the upper 45 cm of soil. Horsenettle flowers can be purple or white where Tropical Soda Apple has only white blossoms. The upper leaf surfaces are deep green, while the lower surfaces are lighter green. Q: This weed grows in a semi-shaded, wooded area in my backyard, reaching 12 inches or more in height. Horse nettle, which also goes by the formal name of Solanum carolinense, is a perennial weed that grows in tall, vertical stalks that can reach up to 4 feet tall. Description Top of page S. carolinense is a perennial broadleaf weed that is 30 to 120 cm tall, erect and loosely branched. I felt good after a day and pain of arthritis is gone! Horsenettle, Solanum Carolinense, is similar looking to the Tropical Soda Apple but is a smaller plant. 2016 Footnote 1). In foods, young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. The toxicity may depend upon the maturity of the plants, because more toxins are present in the fruits than in the leaves. The flowers are simple, alternate, oblong, and irregularly lobed. Canada Thistle is a pesky weed for Ohio farmers. Charlie and Amber are no spring chickens, in terms of years, and they may also benefit from this effect to help keep them as mobile as they are. Habitats: Dry fields and waste ground, usually in sandy soils[4, 222, 235]. Weed Seed: Solanum carolinense (Horse nettle) Family. The Tropical Soda Apple has larger leaves and long thorns and is more shrubby. Though there are other horsenettle nightshades, S. carolinense is the species most commonly called "the horsenettle". The flowers are pale violet to white in color, clustered near the top of the plant. However, when cut down and dried, that vicious sting is lost, and the plant be consumed by both human and horse. Nettles for horses are rich in Iron and Vitamin C, and most horses will happily eat them out in the fields once they have been chopped down an allowed to wilt so they loose their sting. Nettle leaves must first be cooked or steamed to destroy the hairs on them, which contain a number of irritating chemicals. Carolina Horse Nettle is weak-stemmed and can be sprawling, or erect to about 3 feed tall. As if playing “King of The Mountain” the vine and flower of the Morning Glory take advantage of an accommodating Moth Mullein. Horses generally won't eat this plant unless they have nothing else to eat. In manufacturing, stinging nettle extract is used as an ingredient in hair and skin products. Identification A perennial from rhizomes with conspicuous spines on leaves and stems reaching 3 feet in height. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that affects the horse's central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. A … What does horse nettle look like? Flower bugs are common insects that feed on aphids and mites. They have been used in the treatment of epilepsy. Horses have been reported to lean away from the affected side, repeatedly throw themselves to the ground, or collapse. Native people once pulverized the young tops and leaves and ate them raw (similar to using an onion). Artichoke leaves enhance the horses body cell regeneration as well as liver and kidney function. Nettles, also called common nettle, stinging nettle, nettle leaf and urtica dioica, are a part of the Urticaceae family and are a herbaceous perennial, flowering plant. Solanum carolinense, the Carolina horsenettle, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. Horse nettle. Horse Nettle (also called Bull Nettle, Carolina Horsenettle - all parts) Horse Chestnut (also called Buckeye, Ohio Buckeye - buds, nuts, leaves, bark, seedlings, honey) Horsebrush (foliage) Horse Nettle is a good plant just to look at but not to touch. Carolina horse nettle can be toxic to livestock. Horse Nettles, photo by Illinois Wildflowers. Omega Nettle Leaves A natural herb for supporting the health of urinary, cardiovascular and circulatory systems Nettles have a bad reputation for being nothing more than a pesky, stinging weed. What Horsenettle Looks Like. Horse nettle, Carolina horse nettle, bull nettle Botanic Name Solanum carolinense Plant Family ... Leaves are simple, alternate, oblong, and irregularly lobed. Horsenettle – Identification. They are pubescent on the upper surface and have sessile stellate (star-shaped) hairs on the lower surface. You can identify the common flower bug by its tiny oval body, reflective wings and orange-brown legs. Canadian Fleabane . 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