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Silverleaf Nightshade (white horsenettle, silverleaf nettle, bullnettle) Solanaceae, the nightshade family
BACKGROUND: Silverleaf Nightshade is native to the central U.S. The plant spreads by seeds and rhizomes, and grows under a variety of environmental conditions. Berries and foliage are poisonous to livestock.
DESCRIPTION: Silverleaf Nightshade is a perennial that grows up to 3 feet tall. Leaves are lance shaped, somewhat wavy along the edges, an inch or less in width, and up to 5 inches long. Stems are armed with a few yellowish thorns. Both stems and leaves are covered with downy hairs, giving the plant a silvery appearance. Flowers are about 1 inch wide with 5 bluish to lavender or occasionally white petals, surrounding 5 bright yellow anthers clustered in the center. Flowers bloom from midsummer until frost. Fruits are smooth, orange-yellow to dark colored, many- seeded berries. The plant has extensive horizontal rhizomes from the crown.
DISTRIBUTION: Silverleaf nightshade is found throughout the central U.S. and occasionally in the West. Idaho infestations are noted in the map at left.
CONTROL: Herbicides ate registered for control of silverleaf nightshade. No biological control agents are available for Idaho.