Solanum carolinense Linnaeus var. carolinense . Carolina Horse-nettle, Ball-nettle. Phen: Apr-Oct. Hab: Fields, gardens, disturbed areas. Dist: ME and MN, south to s. FL and TX; naturalized well beyond this area, and the original native distribution unclear.

ID notes:A very common, weedy native Solanum that is widespread across nearly all of our region, S. carolinense var. carolinense is a perennial herb or suffrutescent, to 1.2 m tall, with cream to yellow straight prickles to 6 mm long. The fruits are initially green (often mottled light / dark green), ripening to a medium orangy yellow, 1-2 cm in diameter.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy: = Fl6, FNA14, K1, K3, K4, NE, NY, Va, WH3, Wahlert, Chiarini, & Bohs (2015); = Solanum carolinense L. – S; < Solanum carolinense L. – Ar, C, F, G, GrPl, Il, Mi, NcTx, Pa, RAB, Tat, Tx, W, WV

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (name change)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (name change)
• Great Plains: UPL (name change)
• Midwest: FACU (name change)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (name change)

Heliophily: 8