- Solanum carolinense is a perennial with spines on the leaves
and stems that can grow up to 3 ft. (0.9 m) in height. - Leaves
are elliptic-oblong to oval, alternate, petioled, 2.5-4.5 in.
(6.4-11.4 cm) long and covered on both surfaces with hairs.
Leaves also emit a potato odor when crushed, and contain
prominent prickles on the petiole. Stems are angled at the
nodes, become woody with age, and also have prickles and hairs.
- Flowers occur in clusters and are star-shaped with 5 white to
violet petals and a yellow center. - The fruit is a berry, green
when immature, turning yellow and wrinkled with maturity. -
Ecological Threat - Solanum carolinense is native to the United
States. All parts of the plants, except the mature fruit, are
capable of poisoning livestock if eaten in sufficient quantity,
however consumption rarely occurs due to the prickly stems and
leaves. Use gloves when handling the plant. Images from
Bugwood.org