POTATO 



219 



The seeds germinate in the soil, but the vine very soon attaches 

 itself to another plant and loses its connection with the soil, 

 thus becoming strictly parasitic. Some of the dodders are very 

 troublesome weeds. 



NIGHTSHADE FAMILY ( SOLAN ACE^l) 



This is one of the most important families in the plant king- 

 dom. The calyx is five-cleft (occasionally four or six)" and 







FIG. 142. Blossom of egg-plant. Note its similarity to the Irish potato blossom. 



persistent ; corolla five-cleft (sometimes so deeply that the petals 

 appear to be distinct) ; stamens five and attached to the corolla ; 

 ovary two- to five-chambered and with many ovules. (Fig. 142.) 

 Fruit varying from a dry pod to a true fleshy berry. The most 

 important members of this family are : 



The potato (Solatium tuberosum) is indigenous to Chile, 

 Peru and Equador, where it was found growing by the early 

 Spanish explorers. It is now widely distributed throughout 

 the world and is one of our most important food products. The 

 wild potatoes produce small tubers and many seeds, but careful 



