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Pests
Under Eradication : White Horsenettle
White Horsenettle
Solanum elaeagnifolium (L.) Mill.
White horsenettle, also known as silverleaf nightshade,
is a noxious perennial weed. It is found in orchards,
vineyards field and row crops. It also infests roadsides,
pastures, and vacant lots. It is a particular concern
in alfalfa fields because of its toxicity to livestock.
The mature plant is leafy, from 1 to 3 feet tall, and
well branched. Its roots and rhizomes are deeply penetrating
and creeping. The leaves are lance-shaped, 3 to 4 times
as long as broad, and with short stalks and wavy margins.
The stems as well as the leaves are covered with dense
hairs that give the plant a grayish appearance.
The flowers are large, up to 1-inch broad, five lobed,
showy, color is deep violet to blue, and with bright yellow
stamens in the center. The fruit is a globe-shaped about
1-inch in diameter, smooth, and dull orange or yellow
in color.
The ripe berries can produce moderate to severe poisoning
when eaten by livestock. The green fruit is less toxic.
Sheep are more resistant to poisoning than other livestock.
The Department has been eradicating populations of this
weed since October of 1970 in order to prevent the spread
of this noxious weed.
Treatments currently consist of manual removal of mature
plants and chemical treatment of immature plants. This
plant is found in about 270 locations throughout San Bernardino
County. For more information on this weed, go to http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/weedinfo
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