The veins of the leaves as well as the petioles contains spines. Horsenettle spreads by rhizomes and seeds. The flowers of Horsenettle are purple to white in color and occur in clusters on spiny flower-stalks. The anthers of the flower are yellow. Flowers occur during the summer.
Fruits are light green in color with green coloring, but turn yellow at maturity.
Horsenettle is found in pastures, orchards and landscape beds. Horsenettle will grow in a variety of soil types, but does best in sand soils. Horsenettle is found in the eastern United States, west to Kansas and Texas. Horsenettle can become established along fence rows or other turf areas not regularly mowed. Horsenettle can also complete in ornamental plantings.