Horsenettle

Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense

Life cycle:  perennial grows from 1 to 3 ft. tall with deep rhizomes
Growth habit: leaves large, wavy, alternate; spines on upper and lower midrib of leaves and on stems

Reproduction: seeds and creeping rhizomes; flowers 5-petaled, potato/tomato-like, white to pale lavender; fruits yellow, rounded berries, persisting through winter
Conditions that favor growth: a weed of primarily orchards and pastures, also in vegetable gardens; thrives on sandy or gravelly soils
Cultural control: manual cultivation taking care to remove all parts of root and stem; prickles can hurt, wear gloves for protection