830 



SOLANACEAE 



Solanum 



50 



Map 1803 



Physalis ambiqua (A.Gray) Rydb. 



1. Solanum carolinense L. HORSE NETTLE. Map 1804. The root and 

 fruit of this nightshade are used in medicine. An obnoxious weed, more or 

 less frequent to abundant throughout the state. It prefers a sandy soil. 

 Found mostly in cultivated and fallow fields, waste places, and sometimes 

 in open woods. There is little doubt that this species is native to Indiana 

 because it was reported in 1834 by Clapp from the vicinity of New Albany, 

 and in 1819 by Thomas from the vicinity of Vincennes. The early botanists 

 of the southern part of the state reported it as common in that area, but the 

 botanists of northern Indiana reported it as rare. It has, no doubt, been 

 introduced in later years at least in the northern part of the state. 



Mass. to Nebr., southw. to Fla. and Tex. 



2. Solanum rostratum Dunal. Buffalo Bur. Map 1805. This species 

 has been reported from 11 counties but none of the authors state its abun- 

 dance or whether it persisted. I have found it in 6 counties, and in 3 

 counties I found only a single plant ; in two counties it covered large barn- 

 yards; in St. Joseph County, however, it was an abundant and common 

 weed in sandy soil over 2-3 acres in a large barnyard and an adjoining 

 truck garden. The owner despaired of ever being able to eradicate it. It 

 has been collected by Bechtel in Montgomery County where it is estab- 

 lished. Miss Edna Banta informs me that it is a weed on a farm near 

 Brooksburg, Jefferson County. No doubt this species can safely be regarded 

 as a permanent introduction. 



S. Dak. to Tex. and Mex. ; adventive eastw. to N. H., southw. to Fla. 



3. Solanum nigrum L. Common Nightshade. Map 1806. Infrequent 

 throughout the state. Sometimes frequent to common in woods pastures. 

 Ordinarily the plant is not grazed but when it is eaten in sufficient quantity, 

 it proves fatal. Sheep are frequently killed by it. It is found in open woods, 

 pastures, fallow and cultivated fields and along roadsides and railroads. 

 The berries are poisonous and there are records where death of children 

 resulted from the eating of the fruit. 



N. S. to Alberta, southw. to Fla. and Tex. 



