Carolina horsenettle

The leaves are alternate, elliptic-oblong to oval, 6 to 11 centimetres (2+1⁄2 to 4+1⁄2 inches) long, and each is irregularly lobed or coarsely toothed. Both surfaces are covered with fine hairs. The leaves smell like potatoes when crushed. The flowers have five petals and are usually white or purple with yellow centers, though there is a blue variant that resembles the tomato flower. The fruits are berries that resemble tomatoes. The immature fruit is dark green with light green stripes, turning yellow and wrinkled as it matures. Each fruit contains around 60 seeds. It flowers throughout the summer, from April to October (in the northern hemisphere). The plant grows to 90 cm (3 ft) tall, is perennial, and spreads by both seeds and underground rhizome. Stems of older plants are woody.

Solanum carolinense can be found growing in pastures, roadsides, railroad margins, and in disturbed areas and waste ground. They can grow to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall, but are typically shorter, existing as subshrubs. They prefer full sun, and can tolerate both wet or dry conditions. They grow readily in sandy or loamy soils, and may also tolerate a wide range of soil types. They are most vigorous and most likely to become weedy or aggressive on disturbed sites, but can also be found in less disturbed habitats.