Prickly native weed confirmed growing in a New York town
iNaturalist: o_liv_id
Native Plants
If you've got a spiny, tomato-like weed popping up in your garden bed that seems to laugh off pulling, it's probably this plant, and knowing what it is helps you decide whether to manage it or let the local pollinators use it.
Someone out for a walk in Harrison, New York spotted Carolina horsenettle, a native plant covered in sharp prickles with small purple or white flowers, and logged it on iNaturalist. Other naturalists reviewed the photos and confirmed the ID, making it a research-grade record scientists can actually use. It's a small entry, but thousands of these sightings together help track where this plant is spreading across the country.
Key Findings
Observation reached 'research-grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the species ID was confirmed by community consensus
Location recorded as Anderson Hill Road, Harrison, New York
Species confirmed: Solanum carolinense (Carolina horsenettle), a native but weedy nightshade relative
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a Carolina horsenettle plant growing along Anderson Hill Road in Harrison, New York, adding a verified data point for this native but often unwelcome plant's range.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) observed in Anderson Hill Rd, Harrison, NY, US
Research-grade observation of Carolina horsenettle in Anderson Hill Rd, Harrison, NY, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Solanum carolinense, the Carolina horsenettle, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States, though its range has expanded throughout much of temperate North America. The plant is considere...