Find Your Ask The Plant Expert: Here we go again. You identified my crocus (which I suspected) and now I have another “just showed up” plant. She’s cute. She could be a weed. If she’s a plant or flower I will keep her, put her somewhere else. She is in the middle of a landscape project. If she’s a weed, no matter how cute she must go. The circle of life. –Rochelle
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It is a Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum). Depending on your thoughts on poisonous plants, you may want to get rid of it. This plant is in the nightshade family. The leaves and green fruits are poisonous and contain glycoalkaloid solanine.
If humans or animals come in contact with the burs (spines) intense lingering pain can occur. This is especially problematic for dogs who will chew and lick their feet if they step on this plant. It is sad that beautiful plants like these also come with dangers.
Hope this information helps!
I have on of these(Buffalo Star) come up in my flower/vegetable garden this year and I thought it was kinda pretty so I didn’t disturb it. It can up in the same place I had potato’s planted at last year. Two months later it is over two foot tall. So, I just finally looked it up after some giant green worm started enjoying it. No, I believe I’ve leaned that it’s native but poisonous to man and animals. I do have a picture with giant green worm feasting on it.