Scientific Family
Solanaceae
Other common names
white horse nettle
silver horse nettle
bull nettle
desert nightshade
trompillo
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Solanum dimidiatum
Height
Up to 3 feet
Riparian
No
An erect to ascending, sparingly branched plant; herbage silvery-haired; stems, petioles, and leaf midribs prickly with slender yellowish spines. The short silvery hairs on the leaves and stems explain the common name.
Creeping rhizomes; woody stems at base, erect to ascending, slightly branched; herbage with silvery hairs and spines; leaves alternate; showy bluish-purple to purple to white flowers; yellow to brownish round berries not enclosed by sepals.
Habitat
Found on sandy plains, arroyos, outwash slopes and disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Flower clusters of 5 to 8 flowers at branch tips; flowers to 1-1/2 inches wide, anthers bright yellow.
Flower color
Bluish-purple, purple or white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves have a light green, silvery appearance, to 4 inches long. Leaf margins are wavy. Lower surface is densely covered with radiating hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green, silvery
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Resembles small tomatoes that remain on the plant for months, 1/2 inch in diameter.
Fruit type
Berry-like
Fruit color
Yellow to brownish
Brown, lens-shaped seeds.