Can You Eat Horsenettle Berries? A Comprehensive Warning

December 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 78 schoolboys were reported ill in 1978 after eating potatoes containing elevated levels of a toxic compound also found in horsenettle berries. All parts of the horsenettle plant, including its deceptive, yellow, tomato-like fruit, are poisonous to humans and animals. Ingesting horsenettle berries can lead to severe gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, and in some cases, even death.

Quick Summary

Horsenettle berries are toxic and should never be consumed. They contain solanine, a poisonous alkaloid that can cause gastrointestinal and neurological distress. As a member of the nightshade family, this plant and its fruit, which resemble small yellow tomatoes, are hazardous to humans and livestock. Identifying and avoiding this perennial weed is crucial for preventing accidental poisoning.

Key Points

All parts are poisonous: Every part of the horsenettle plant, including its fruit, leaves, and stems, contains the toxic glycoalkaloid solanine.
Berries are highly toxic: The yellow, tomato-like berries, especially when mature, contain the highest concentration of toxins and are particularly dangerous if ingested.
Symptoms of poisoning: Ingestion can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, neurological symptoms, and, in high doses, potentially fatal outcomes.
Identification is key: Learn to distinguish horsenettle by its spiny stems, lobed leaves with prickles, star-shaped white-to-violet flowers, and smooth, yellow berries.
Seek immediate medical help: If horsenettle berries are consumed, contact a poison control center immediately. Treatment is supportive, as there is no antidote.
Resembles edible relatives: Horsenettle is in the nightshade family with tomatoes and potatoes, which contributes to the dangerous resemblance and risk of accidental ingestion.
Aggressive and hard to remove: The plant is considered an invasive weed and is difficult to eradicate due to its deep root system.

The Poisonous Dangers of Horsenettle Berries

All parts of the horsenettle plant, known scientifically as Solanum carolinense, are highly toxic to humans and most livestock. The danger is often underestimated because its berries bear a striking resemblance to small yellow tomatoes, a close relative within the same nightshade family (Solanaceae). However, unlike edible nightshades, horsenettle fruits contain dangerously high concentrations of a toxic glycoalkaloid called solanine. This article will explore why horsenettle is so poisonous, what makes its berries particularly dangerous, and how to avoid the risks associated with this invasive weed.

Why Horsenettle is So Toxic

The primary toxin in horsenettle is solanine, a glycoalkaloid that acts as a natural defense mechanism for the plant. Solanine is present throughout the entire plant, but its concentration varies by maturity and season. The highest levels of the toxin are found in the berries, particularly when they are mature. The high concentration of solanine is what makes even small amounts of horsenettle berries potentially lethal, especially to children and smaller animals. In addition to solanine, horsenettle contains other glycoalkaloids that can disrupt the nervous system and irritate the gastrointestinal tract upon ingestion. This combination of toxins contributes to the severity of poisoning symptoms.

Identification of Horsenettle

Accidental poisoning often occurs because of the plant's deceptive appearance. Knowing how to correctly identify horsenettle is therefore critical for staying safe. Look for the following characteristics:

Leaves: Dull green, wavy or coarsely lobed, covered with star-shaped hairs, and often have yellow prickles on the midrib.
Stems: Armed with hard, sharp, yellow spines, making them difficult to handle.
Flowers: Star-shaped with five petals, typically white or light violet, and feature a prominent cone of five large yellow stamens in the center.
Fruit: Smooth, yellow berries, about 1-1.5 cm in diameter, that look like small tomatoes. They ripen in the fall and often persist through winter.

Horsenettle vs. Safe Edibles: A Critical Comparison

To prevent confusion and accidental ingestion, here is a breakdown of the key differences between horsenettle and common edible relatives like tomatoes.


Feature	Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Stems	Covered in sharp spines and prickles.	Typically smooth or slightly hairy, without large spines.
Toxicity	All parts are highly poisonous, containing dangerous levels of solanine.	Ripe fruit is safe to eat; leaves and unripe fruit contain low levels of solanine.
Berries	Start green, turn smooth, yellow, and wrinkled when ripe. Highly toxic.	Start green, turn red, orange, or yellow when ripe. Edible when ripe.
Leaves	Dull green, lobed, and covered with hairs and spines.	Variable shapes, but typically smoother and without large spines.
Toxin Concentration	Alkaloid concentration is high throughout the plant and increases in berries as they ripen.	Alkaloid concentration is low in ripe fruit, making it safe for consumption.

Symptoms and Treatment for Horsenettle Poisoning

Ingestion of horsenettle berries can cause a range of symptoms that typically appear 8-10 hours after consumption. Symptoms affect both the gastrointestinal and nervous systems and can include:

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea and abdominal pain
Fever or lower than normal body temperature
Headache
Slowed heart rate and breathing
Drowsiness, weakness, and confusion
Dilated pupils
Paralysis
In severe cases, coma or death

If you suspect that you or someone has ingested horsenettle berries, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by calling a poison control center. Treatment is supportive and focuses on managing the symptoms until the poison is expelled from the body. There is no specific antidote for solanine poisoning.

Conclusion

To definitively answer the question "Can you eat horsenettle berries?" the answer is a resounding no. The attractive, tomato-like appearance of horsenettle berries is a dangerous misrepresentation of their toxic nature. The high concentration of solanine makes them a serious health hazard, and accidental ingestion can lead to severe and potentially fatal consequences. Public awareness of the plant's characteristics is essential for preventing poisoning, especially in children and livestock. If horsenettle is found on your property, it is recommended to remove it with caution, wearing protective gloves to avoid the painful spines and ensure no part of the plant is mistakenly consumed. For more information on poisonous plants, consult reliable sources such as agricultural extension offices and poison control centers, who emphasize that caution and proper identification are key to staying safe in the wild.

Potential look-alikes to avoid

Buffalo Bur (Solanum rostratum): Another spiny member of the nightshade family, often confused with horsenettle.
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium): Also in the nightshade family, this plant is notoriously toxic and can be mistaken for other wild plants.
Common Ground Cherry (Physalis heterophylla): While some ground cherries are edible, this particular species can be poisonous, and its appearance can cause confusion.

Management and Prevention

For those with gardens or pastures, the control of horsenettle can be challenging due to its deep taproots and aggressive spreading via rhizomes. Prevention strategies include:

Manual Removal: For small infestations, carefully digging up the plant and its extensive root system is recommended.
Herbicides: Consulting with a local extension agent is advised for effective chemical control methods, as horsenettle can be resistant to some herbicides.
Education: Teaching children and others about the dangers of horsenettle and the importance of never eating wild berries is the most effective preventative measure.

Always prioritize safety over curiosity when encountering unknown wild plants. The resemblance of horsenettle berries to edible fruit is a deadly form of mimicry that must be treated with extreme caution.

Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's Guide to Horsenettle for more information on identification and habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Despite its name, horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) is not a true nettle. It is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The 'nettle' part of its name likely comes from the spiny prickles on its stems and leaves, which can cause skin irritation similar to a true stinging nettle.

Symptoms of horsenettle poisoning in humans can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, fever, and nervous system effects like drowsiness, confusion, and paralysis. Severe cases can lead to respiratory depression, shock, or death.

The easiest way to differentiate is by examining the plant's stems, which are covered in sharp, yellow spines on horsenettle plants but not on cherry tomato plants. Horsenettle berries are also consistently smooth and yellow when ripe, while most cherry tomatoes ripen to red, orange, or other colors.

Yes, all parts of the horsenettle plant are toxic to most animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. While animals often avoid eating it due to its bitter taste and spines, poisoning can occur, especially if other forage is scarce.

If a child or anyone else accidentally eats horsenettle berries, it is a medical emergency. You should call a poison control center immediately and provide them with as much information as possible, including the person's age, weight, symptoms, and the amount and time of ingestion.

The berries are toxic at all stages, but the concentration of solanine can change. Some sources indicate the toxin levels are highest in the mature berries in the fall. Other nightshades, like potatoes, have higher toxicity in unripe forms.

No. Drying can reduce toxicity in some plants, but it does not make horsenettle berries safe for human consumption. The toxic glycoalkaloids present in horsenettle are not easily destroyed by cooking or drying and pose a significant risk regardless of preparation.