SCIENTIFIC ANr> POPULAR. 349 



1867. SOLANUM, L. Potato, etc. Solaiiaceae. 



Latin name of Nightshade from solamen, "quieting". Syn. 

 Cyphomandra, Dulcamara, in part. Herbs or shrubs. About 

 900 species, most abundant in tropical America; 23 in U. S. 



a. S. acilleatissiniiim Jacq. Asia and tropical America, nat. in 



southern U. S. Apple-of-Sodom, a name given also to other 

 species having bright colored dry fruits. 



b. S. Aethiopicuiu L. Tropical Africa, cult, in China and else- 



where. Fi-uit esculent, as is that of (c) S. betaceiim Cav. 

 [C. betacea Sendt (Kew)]; (d) S. edule Schura. & Thou. 

 [Index Kew, makes this a syn. of (k)], Guinea; (e) S. Gilo 

 Kaddi, tropical America; (f) S. toiTum Swz., tropical 

 America; (g) S. Uporu Dunal, Oceanica; (h) S. yescum 

 F. Muell., the Gunyang of Australia. See also (k), (1), (m). 



i. S. Caroliueiise L. Ontario and eastern U. S. Horse-nettle, 

 Apple-of-Sodom, Bull-nettle, Kadical-weed. Berries and rooty 

 anodyne, antispasmodic, diuretic. 



j. S. Dulcamara L. (D. flexuosaMoench). Europe, western Asia 

 and northern Africa, nat. or possibly indigenous in U. S. Bit- 

 tersweet, Nightshade, Climbing or Woody Nightshade, Amara- 

 dulcis, Blue Bindweed, Dwale, Felonwort, Fever-twig, Morrel, 

 Poison-berry, Pushion-berry J, Poison-flower.Scarlet-berry, Skaw- 

 coo, Snake-berry, Tether-deviJ, TerrididdleJ, Violet-bloom, 

 Wolf-grape; Ger. Bittersiiss, Hindischkraut; Fr. Morellegrim- 

 pante; Sp. Dulcamara, Gloria. Young branches; Dulcamara, 

 U. S. P., Stipites dulcamarse, mildly narcotic, sedaiive. 



k. S. Melongena L., not Wall, (including S. esculentum Dun, 

 the commonly cultivated variety). Tropical Asia, now widely 

 cult. Egg-plant. Fruit, Egg Apple, Jew's Apple, Mad Ap- 

 ple, Vegetable Egg, Brinjal (East indies). Aubergine (France), 

 Begoon, Guinea Squash; esculent. The Peruvian (1) S. murl- 

 catum Ait., Pepino, Melon shrub, is also cultivated for its 

 melon-like fruit. The fruit of (m) S. Quttoense Lam., 

 Quito Orange, resembles an orange in size, color and taste. 



n. S. tuberosum L. South America, now widely cult, in many 

 varieties. Potato, Common or Irish Potato; Ger. Kartoffle; Fr. 

 Pomrae de terre; Sp. Patata. Tubers, locally called spuds, 

 esculent, source of potato starch. Some other species produce 

 similar starchy tubers. 



o. S. nigrum L. A cosmopolitan weed, with numerous botanical 

 synonyms. Black Nightshade, Common or Garden Night- 

 shade, Duscle, Hound's- berry. Petty-morel; Ger. Schwartzer 

 Nachtschatten ; Fr. Morelle (Codex). iZ^r6 vulnerary, perhaps 

 feebly narcotic, but used as a pot herb. Berries edible. 



Other species of interest are (p) S. elaeagnifollum Cav., 

 Kansas to Arizona, Silver-leaved Nightshade, Trompillo; (q) 

 S indigoferum St. Hil., Brazil, a source of indigo; (r) S. 



?aiiicvlatum L., Brazil, Jerubeba, used as a tonic; (s) S. 

 •seudo-Cdpsicum L., Maderia, Jerusalem Cherry, Winter 



