192 Subtropical Gardening. 



and, on the lower part, of a light pale green, by which the ^ 

 plant may be readily recognised. The flowers are very 

 large and white. Berries roundish, villose, and twice or 

 thrice as large as a cherry. This I have seen attain 

 a very remarkable development in sheltered warm spots 

 in the south of England. It is fine in medium-sized 

 groups. 



Solanum hyporhodium. A fine branching kind 

 from Venezuela, with a stout stem about 5 ft. high, and 

 branches armed with short thinly-scattered spines. The 

 leaves, which attain a length of nearly 2\ ft., are oval, 

 with angular sinuated lobes, the upper surface being of a 

 fine green colour with white veins, and the under side of 

 a violet-red and downy. When young the hue of the 

 leaves is exceedingly lively. The flowers are borne in 

 almost lateral cymes and are of a rosy-white colour with 

 yellow stamens. This plant is sometimes sold as S. dis- 

 color and S. purpureum, but is quite distinct from them. 



Solanum Karstenii. This, which is more commonly 

 known as S. callicarpum, is a robust, slightly branching, 

 arborescent shrub about 5 ft. high, covered with long 

 hairs interspersed with spines and of a general variable 

 greyish-violet hue. The leaves are oval, broad, angular, 

 heart-shaped at the base, and 2 ft. or more in length. The 

 flowers are large, of a fine delicate violet colour, and 

 borne in crowded, almost one-sided clusters. This plant 

 is best isolated, as when placed in close groups the leaves 

 of the associated subjects are apt to tear it. Venezuela. 



Solanum lanceolatum. This is the best kind for 

 blooming qualities. The foliage, which is somewhat 

 fluffy and willow-like, possesses no marked character, 



