354 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



to its axillary branch and is carried up to its first node where 

 it meets the lowest leaf of the branch which is usually smaller. 

 It may be carried past the smaller leaf. The main branch on 

 which the larger leaf was borne is turned aside and bears the 

 inflorescence (as in Fig. 336). 



A large order of herbs, climbing shrubs or, rarely, trees, 

 unarmed or spinous, especially abundant in the Southern 

 Hemisphere. Some, like the Potato, Tomato and Cape Goose- 

 berry, are of economic importance, others are poisonous. 



Fig. 336. — Solanum. Flowers, fruit, and seed. 

 South African Flowering Plants".) 



(From Henslow's 



The order is related to Scrophulariaceae and Boraginaceae 

 from which it may be distinguished by its internal phloem and 

 the oblique ovary. 



Fruit a many-seeded berry. 



Solanum. — Anthers opening by terminal pores. 



Physalis. — Anthers opening lengthwise. Calyx covering and 



much enlarged in fruit. 

 Lycium. — Anthers opening lengthwise. Calyx unaltered after 

 flowering. 

 Fruit a capsule. 



