206 COROLLIFLORjE 



which is made into a most luscious jam. The genus Capsicum affords 

 Cayenne pepper, which is prepared by grinding the dried seed- 

 vessels with their contents ; and Tomatoes belong to the genus 

 Lycopersicum. 



1. Solanum (Nightshade). Corolla wheel-shaped, 5-cleft, the 

 segments spreading or reflexed ; anthers opening by 2 pores at the 

 summit ; berry roundish, with 2 or more cells. (Name of doubtful 

 origin.) 



2. Atropa (Deadly Nightshade). Corolla bell-shaped, with 5 

 equal lobes ; stamens distant ; berry of 2 cells. (Name from 

 Atropos, one of the Fates, who was supposed to cut the thread of 

 human destiny.) 



3. Hyoscyamus (Henbane). Corolla funnel-shaped, with 5 un- 

 equal lobes ; capsule 2-celled, closed by a lid. (Name in Greek, 

 signifying Hog's-bean.) 



1. Solanum (Nightshade) 



1. S. dulcamara (Woody Nightshade, Bittersweet). Stem 

 shrubby, climbing; leaves heart-shaped, the upper ones eared at 

 the base ; flowers drooping. This plant, which is frequently 

 though incorrectly called Deadly Nightshade, is well marked by its 

 straggling woody stem, which climbs among bushes to the length of 

 8 or 10 feet, and by its purple flowers, the yellow anthers of which 

 unite in the form of a cone. At the base of each lobe of the corolla 

 are two green spots. The flowers grow in drooping, loose tufts, and 

 are succeeded by shining scarlet berries, the length of which slightly 

 exceeds the breadth. Damp hedges and thickets ; common. 

 Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



2. S. nigrum (Black Nightshade). Stem branching, herbaceous, 

 a foot or less high ; leaves egg-shaped, wavy at the edge, and 

 bluntly toothed ; flowers white, with yellow anthers, in drooping 

 umbels ; berries globular, black, or occasionally yellow or dull red. 

 Waste ground ; common. Fl. July to September. Annual or 

 Biennial. 



2. Atropa {Deadly Nightshade) 



1. A. belladonna (Deadly Nightshade, Dwale). A stout herba- 

 ceous plant 3-4 feet high, with large egg-shaped leaves and solitary, 

 drooping, bell-shaped flowers, which grow in the axils of the upper 

 leaves, and are of a lurid purple hue. The berries are black and as 

 large as cherries, which they somewhat resemble in appearance, but 

 may be readily distinguished by the calyx at the base. This noxious 

 plant, which is the most dangerous growing in Britain, on account 

 of its active poisonous properties and the attractive appearance of 

 its berries, is fortunately of rare occurrence, growing principally in 



