Garden

[cheriere]

Here's a wildflower I'll bet most in the southeast are very familiar with, Carolina HORSENETTLE.  It is NOT a member of the nettle family as its name suggests, but instead a Nightshade.

It's a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America.  The flowers composed of five petals, usually white or purple with protruding yellow centers.  The leaves are broad and green, smelling like potatoes when crushed.  All parts of the plant have a hairy, prickly texture.  

This plant was used medically by Native Americans and was actually listed in the US National Formulary from 1916-1936.  It was said to treat poison ivy, epilepsy, asthma, tetanus, and bronchitis.

 However, we now consider this plant to be extremely toxic!  Not so much the flower, but the berries that develop sometime in October.  These berries are light green to yellow and resemble tiny tomatoes.  Their level of poison being the highest.  For this reason, most animals know to avoid eating.

Here are some pictures I took of this pretty poison lol.  Some were growing bordering the woods as well is in back of an old building.  They are quite beautiful.

[vermint]

@cheriere I've lived in South Carolina since I was 7 years old (1962), and I've never heard of or seen this plant. They are pretty, though!

[sabatini]

Well, @cheriere, here you are again with another fascinating and enlightening post. Thank you so much for sharing your botanical knowledge!

Did you study this in school, or is it rather a passion or interest that you've developed over time?

I just love your knowledgeable posts about these things!

[cheriere]

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@vermint wrote:

@cheriere I've lived in South Carolina since I was 7 years old (1962), and I've never heard of or seen this plant. They are pretty, though!

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I guess that's really a good thing...according to my dad anyways.  It's hard to get rid of once it starts growing.  Plus, it's thorns can be really sharp.  I always thought they were a pretty little flower though.  Come fall is when the flowers are replaced by those tiny tomato looking things.  They're not so attractive.  I'll try to find a picture online that shows them.  I'm sure you'll probably recognize them then.😃❤️

[cheriere]

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@sabatini wrote:

Well, @cheriere, here you are again with another fascinating and enlightening post. Thank you so much for sharing your botanical knowledge!

Did you study this in school, or is it rather a passion or interest that you've developed over time?

I just love your knowledgeable posts about these things!

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Thank you so much.❤️ I'm really glad you enjoy my posts.  I know most people don't care for wildflowers or what my dad sometimes refers to as weeds lol.

I've grown up around large gardens in the country.  So, I guess my love for flowers and nature started early.  I taught science lab for many years too.  We had a huge operational greenhouse and observational animal habitats.  
I was the guide on our school's nature trail.  I started out thinking I knew a lot about wildflowers and plants lol...I was sorely mistaken though.  I was lucky enough to be taught by the best guide possible who helped me out tremendously my first year.  😃❤️

Thanks again for your kind words.  I always appreciate your  reading my nature posts.❤️

[2sisters]

Thank you @cheriere I learned something again!  The yellow center looks like little claws.  
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of plants and flowers!

I know you were a wonderful guide!💕

[cheriere]

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@2sisters wrote:

Thank you @cheriere I learned something again!  The yellow center looks like little claws.  
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of plants and flowers!

I know you were a wonderful guide!💕

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Thank you for your kind words.  I'm really glad you like my nature posts.😃❤️

In all honesty, it was easy to get good on the nature trail because I always knew where everything grew and what to expect lol.  My mentor however, was Amazing!  He'd retired and just came over to help out because he loved it so much.  I always felt like such an imposter next to him lol.😃

[sabatini]

@cheriere, I just knew you must've had a background in this. It certainly shows!

How lucky to have had a mentor like the one you did, & that you were wise enough to recognize his unique value.

You're a very special teacher in your own right. 

[cheriere]

@sabatini 

Thank you so much.😃❤️

Now, I have an even better mentor, my dad.  He knows more than I'll ever hope to.  I'm so thankful to have him around.❤️

[2sisters]

@cheriere @I wanted to let you know the Mama bird had two little babies!  When I got home today I saw there little heads poking up.  I didn't get any closer in fears Iwould scare her.  I've been putting bird seed on the ground for her and hope she is getting it and not another bird. 💕

I don't know how to post pictures or I would post one for you. ❤️