Silverleaf nightshade
Zion National Park
There are several species of horse nettle, all of which have star-shaped blossoms with prominent petals, flat or turned backward, and yellow stamens. Almost all of them are prickly. Flowers of the various species are blue, purple, yellow, or white. White horse nettle gets its name from its covering of silvery hairs, among which are the nettle-like prickles. It grows 1â3 feet tall. The leaves are 2â4 inches long, with wavy edges. Flowers are violet-purple or white, about 3/4 inch across, with 5 petal-like lobes that are joined at the base, forming a triangular shape at the tip of each lobe. All of them have the prominent, bright yellow stamens that distinguish all the horse nettles. The yellow fruits resemble small tomatoes and remain on the plant for months. They are said to be poisonous.
The lavender, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers are beautifully set off by the silvery foliage, and large patches of the plant in full bloom are striking. However, the plant is an aggressive, poisonous weed, spreading steadily from deep rootstocks; in a few states it is classified as a noxious weed.
The genus name, from the Latin solamen (quieting), alludes to the narcotic properties of many species. This species is also known as Bullnettle. Source: www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SOEL
Silverleaf nightshade
Zion National Park
There are several species of horse nettle, all of which have star-shaped blossoms with prominent petals, flat or turned backward, and yellow stamens. Almost all of them are prickly. Flowers of the various species are blue, purple, yellow, or white. White horse nettle gets its name from its covering of silvery hairs, among which are the nettle-like prickles. It grows 1â3 feet tall. The leaves are 2â4 inches long, with wavy edges. Flowers are violet-purple or white, about 3/4 inch across, with 5 petal-like lobes that are joined at the base, forming a triangular shape at the tip of each lobe. All of them have the prominent, bright yellow stamens that distinguish all the horse nettles. The yellow fruits resemble small tomatoes and remain on the plant for months. They are said to be poisonous.
The lavender, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers are beautifully set off by the silvery foliage, and large patches of the plant in full bloom are striking. However, the plant is an aggressive, poisonous weed, spreading steadily from deep rootstocks; in a few states it is classified as a noxious weed.
The genus name, from the Latin solamen (quieting), alludes to the narcotic properties of many species. This species is also known as Bullnettle. Source: www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SOEL