Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1895 — A Bad Weed. [ARTICLE]

A Bad Weed.

Spring nightshade, or buffalo bur, is becoming quite numerous in many parts of lowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Texas. It is becoming surprisingly abundant in eastern Nebraska. During the past year it has frequently been mistaken for Russian thistle, but it does not resemble the Russian thistle in any respect except that it is a mass of thorns when the leaves drop off. It grows bushy and compact, having every spring leaves, stems and fruit. The fruit is a berry like that of the potato, but w’ith attached calyx, The plant is a very close relative of the cultivated potato. The flowers are yellow. As the weed is an annual there ought to be no trouble in removing it.