Definition

Noun 1. A North American annual plant: Solanum rostratum is a species of nightshade characterized by its prickly stems and leaves, and its clusters of yellow flowers. It is also commonly known as buffalo bur, Kansas thistle, or prickly nightshade.

Usage

• is considered a noxious weed in many agricultural areas.
• The distinctive prickles on help protect it from herbivores.
• Botanists study due to its relationship to cultivated plants like the potato and tomato.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical taxonomy, is noted for a floral characteristic called "buzz pollination," where its poricidal anthers require vibration from bees to release pollen.
• The species name "" (meaning "beaked") refers to the elongated, beak-like shape of its fruit.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Names: Buffalo bur, Kansas thistle, prickly nightshade, Texas thistle.
• Taxonomic Relatives: It belongs to the genus , which includes economically important plants like potato (), tomato (), and eggplant ().

Synonyms

• Buffalo bur
• Kansas thistle
• Prickly nightshade

Notes

• is the ancestral host plant for the Colorado potato beetle (), a major agricultural pest.
• All parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans and livestock if ingested.

Noun

1. North American nightshade with prickly foliage and racemose yellow flowers