1712 



* SOLANUM etuberosum. 

 Tuber less Solanum. 



PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Nat. ord. Solane^. Juss. (^Introduction to the Natural System of 

 Botany, p. 231.) 



SOLANUM. Supra, vol. 1, /oZ. 71. 



* Inermia, foliis imparipimiatis ; racemis corymbosis terminalibus. 



S. etuberosum ; rhizomate crasso subterraneo etuberoso, caule herbaceo, folio- 

 lis inaequalibus complicatis undulatissimis approximatis alternis minutis, 

 pedicellis articulatis, calycibus coroUisque 5-angulatis glabris. 

 Fades omnino S. tuberosi, sed tubera nulla prof ert; fioresmajores sunt, 

 hrevius pedunculati, calyxque glaber est et lucidus, nee pilis hispidus. Spe- 

 cies certo certius distinctissimu, etsi notis levibus cognoscenda. 



This curious plant is a hardy perennial, native of Chili, 

 whence it was obtained some years since by the Horticul- 

 tural Society. It bears its rich clusters of deep purple blos- 

 soms, with a golden yellow centre, from July to October, 

 and is very easily multiplied by dividing its stout rooting 

 underground stems. 



Although extremely similar to the Potatoe in appearance, 

 yet its larger and more compact flowers, and its want of the 

 power of producing tubers render it a proper plant for a 

 flower-garden. 



There can be no doubt that this is a species essentially 

 distinct from the Potatoe, and yet it is impossible to point out 

 any character by which it is to be positively distinguished, 

 except the want of tubers, and the smoothness of the calyx 

 and flower-stalks ; these latter have a shining, and nearly 

 downless surface, instead of the rough dull appearance which 

 we meet with in those parts in the common Potatoe. 



* See folio 1516. 



