westernmost parts of the Amazon amongst the Indians of Col- 
ombia, Ecuador and Peru. 
The collection Pinkley 1/72 reports an interesting use of this 
toxic plant: “‘As a pacifier for small children.” 
Solanum subinerme Jacquin, Enum. Pl. Carib. (1760) 15. 
COLOMBIA: Comisaria del Vaupes, Rio Vaupés, Mitu and vicinity. 
‘Height 4-5 feet. Flowers blue-purple. Weed.’ September 27 - October 20, 
1966. R.E. Schultes, R.F. Raffauf et D. Soejarto 24244. 
A spot test in the field with Dragendorff reagent indicated 
that this species is alklaoid-positive. 
Solanum Topiro Humboldt et Bonpland in Dunal, Sol. Gen. 
Aff. Sym. (1816) 10. 
COLOMBIA: Comisaria del Vaupes, Rio Apaporis, between Rios Kana- 
nari and Pacoa. *‘Flowers greenish, anthers yellow. Bush. Fruit green, 
turning orange. Kubeo = be-ta'-ka; Taiwano = dé-twa'; Tatuya = da-twa'. 
Cultiivated.”” September 1, 1951. R.E. Schultes et I. Cabrera 13842. 
The small seeds of this edible fruit are often dried and pul- 
verized for medicinal use: amongst the Taiwano, the powder 
is kept and added to powder to Erythroxylon Coca when the 
mucous membranes and tongue become irritated from over- 
use of coca. 
Solanum verbascifolium Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. (1753) 184. 
CoLomBIA: Comisaria del Amazonas, Rio Amazonas, near mouth of 
Rio Loretoyacu and Puerto Narino. ‘‘Bush, 8 feet. Flowers white or pale 
violet. Alkaloid-positive.’” September 13-15, 1966. R.E. Schultes, R.F. 
Raffauf et D. Soejarto 24123. — Comisaria del Vaupés, Mitu and vicinity. 
“Herb up to 3 feet. Flowers white, leaves used for washing. Leaves as- 
perous, causing rash and itching. In secondary growth.’’ September 27 - 
October 20, 1966. R.E. Schultes, R.F. Raffauf et D. Soejarto 24228. 
This bushy species has long been employed in the Vaupés 
as one of the most easily available plants for washing cloth- 
es. It is not cultivated but is found growing spontaneously in 
every house site or Manihot field. The asperous leaves cause 
rashes and itching if handled over a long period. 
The leaves give a positive test for alkaloid with Dragen- 
dorff reagent. They undoubtedly have a high concentration 
also of saponins. 
194 
