386 FLORA HISTORICA. 



WINTER CHERRY. Physalis Alkekengi. 



Natural Order Luridce. Solanece, Juss. A Genus of 

 the Fentandria Monogynia Class. 



The common Winter Cherry > which we occasion- 

 ally meet with in some obscure part of our gardens^ 

 was formerly held in great repute for its medicinal 

 properties, but in modern practice it is totally dis- 

 regarded, and is only allowed the honour of associ- 

 ating with cultivated plants, from its producing an 

 ornamental berry similar to the cherry in its ap- 

 pearance, and from whence the familiar name is 

 derived. It is the ^uaaXis, Physalis, of Diosco- 

 rides, from <^v(toc, a bladder, on account of the calyx 

 being curiously inflated. 



This exotic plant has been of long standing in 

 our gardens ; the Kew Catalogue states as early as 

 1548, and Dr. Turner mentions it as being com- 

 mon in 1564. This author writes on it under the 

 Arabian name of Alkakinge, from whence the spe- 

 cific title of Alkekengi; he also calls it Halicacahiim 

 vulgare, and Phissalis. Pliny calls it Halicacahiim, 

 and Vesicatorium, in allusion to the bladder-shape 

 of the calyx ; or as some old medical writers ima- 



