14 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



The red or Cayenne pepper (Capsicum aniiuum), native to North America, 

 is much used in tropical countries to stimulate the appetite. Tt seems to run 

 to many forms, but has been shown by Prof. Irish that many of the so-called 

 species belong to C. annmim. A shrubby species, C. frutescens, is native to 

 wrestern Texas and Mexico. The tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum), was undoubt- 

 edly native to America. It was used by the Indians in North America at the 

 time of the discovery by Columbus, and was introduced into England in 1585 

 by Lane who was a deputy of Sir Walter Raleigh. Tobacco is now cultivated 

 in many civilized countries, as Cuba, Philippine Islands, Sumatra, also in 

 Florida, the Carolinas, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Wisconsin in the United 

 States. It is used for making cigars, snuff and for chewing. It is an important 

 article in commerce. The potato {Solanum tuberosum) is indigenous to Peru 

 and Chili, but was introduced into Spain about the beginning of the 16th 

 century, and into England from Virginia in 1586 by Sir Walter Raleigh. The 

 greatest yields occur in irrigated districts. It is one of the most important food 



Fig. 414a. Tobacco Plant {Nicotiana Tabacum). a. Flower; 

 h. corolla; cut open; c, ovary; d, e, young fruit, (a, b. c, nat- 

 ural size; d. e. x 2.). (.After Strasburger, Noll, Schenck, and 

 Schimper). 



plants. Other species of tuberous Solanum occur, as the i\ Jamcsii, in south- 

 western United States, and several others in Mexico and South America. The 

 egg-plant (Solanum Mclongcna) is native to India, but is now widely cultivated 

 in tropical countries and temperate regions, the fruit being used for culinary 

 purposes. The tomato (Lycopersicum esculcntum) , a native of tropical Amer- 

 ica, of which there are many varieties, is now widely distributed in tropical 

 and temperate regions. The fruit is eaten fresh or canned, or made into 



