SOLANACE^E 



107 



somewhat open, with 5 equal teeth. The corolla 

 is large, and the tube is as long as the calyx, and 

 colourless. The border is longer than the tube, 

 and bright blue. The lobes are rounded, slightly 

 notched, and at the base are yellow oval glandular 

 scales. The stamens are very short, and are in 

 the middle of the tube. The anthers are lanceolate, 

 and the ovary rather small. The seeds are ova!. 



The plant derives its name from an old legend, 

 according to which a lover, venturing too far into 

 a river to gather one of these flowers for his 

 lady, was carried away by the stream, but threw 

 the flower on shore, crying out, " Forget me 

 not." The German name is practically identical — 

 " Vergissmeinnicht." 



Order LV. Solanacece (4 genera) 



This is a somewhat extensive Order, though 

 poorly represented in Britain. It contains several 

 plants of considerable economic value, among 

 others the Potato (Solamun tuberosum), the Love 

 Apple or Tomato {Solarium lycopersicum), and the 



Tobacco Plant {Nicotiana tabacuni). It also in- 

 cludes different species of Nightshade, and other 

 plants which are dangerous poisons, but some of 

 which are much used in medicine. They are 

 shrubs or low-growing plants, with alternate leaves, 

 large handsome' brightly-coloured flowers, mostly 

 tubular or bell-shaped, the calyx and corolla 5-lobed 

 (rarely 4-lobed), and an equal number of stamens. 

 The fruit is a 2- or 4-celled capsule, or a berry in 

 many divisions. 



Woody Nightshade, or Bittersweet — Solanum 

 Dulcamara 



(Plate LXV) 



This is a handsome climbing plant, common in 

 hedges and among bushes, preferring a damp soil, 

 though often met with in dry places. The peren- 

 nial root throws off slender woody brittle shoots, 

 which either straggle over the ground or climb up 

 any plants within reach. The leaves and side- 

 shoots are alternate. The leaves have long stalks, 

 a smooth margin, and are cf different shapes. 



