Western horse nettle, Treadsalve
Solanum dimidiatum Raf.
Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
Description
Western horse nettle is a weedy perennial in the Nightshade family. It is also called treadsalve. Although most specimens of this species are less than 2 feet tall, some grow to 3 feet.
The leaves, petioles (leaf stems) and branched stems of western horsenettle carry sharp spines. Western horse nettle leaves are oval, have five to seven lobes and reach up to 6 inches long.
The flowers are bluish purple to violet (rarely white) and grow in clusters at the ends of the stems. They give rise to spherical fruits that are  inch to 1› inches in diameter and yellow at maturity.
The fruit of the plant is poisonous to livestock, and the forage value is poor for grazing wildlife.
Habitat
These plants are widely distributed on loamy prairies of Texas except in the far western, Panhandle and extreme eastern parts of the state.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: Purple
Seed Type: Fruit/Berry
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Prickly, Spiny, or Thorny
Growth Habit: Forbs/Broadleaf
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208), Toxic Plants of Texas (B-6105)
Collection: Brush and Weeds, Wild Flowers
