Carolina Horsenettle
Solanum carolinense
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Cbaile19
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Solanum
- Species:
- Solanum carolinense
- USDA Symbol:
- SOCA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Exaeretia canella, Frumenta nundinella, Isophrictis similiella, Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), Riley's clearwing moth (Synanthedon rileyana), Tildenia glochinella, Tildenia inconspicuella, tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Keiferia inconspicuella, Riley's clearwing moth (Synanthedon rileyana), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire or disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in disturbed areas and fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure. Root fragments can also regenerate new plants.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI