Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 407 



FAMILY 128. SOLANACE^E. POTATO FAMILY 



663. LOW HAIRY GROUND-CHERRY 



PHYSALIS PUBESCENS L. 



Of sparing, irregular occurrence. It comes up usually in rich 

 new ground after the first plowing, and is found especially in the 

 new ground of cornfields or potato patches, where it grows up 

 rather tall and then spreads extensively like a miniature tree. 

 Late in autumn before frosts have killed the plants they may be 

 found with ripe fruit close to the center of the plant and on the 

 ground underneath, hidden by the leaves, while as one advances 

 toward the peryphery of the broadly spreading plant he encounters 

 fruit in all stages of development, and possibly a few flowers. The 

 fruit is delicious, when dead ripe a clear translucent yellow, a mass 

 of perfect sweetness with little or no night-shade flavor. 



On October 24, 1904, several of these plants were found pretty 

 full of fruit, in a cultivated field (new ground) by Hawk's marsh. 



664. TALL HAIRY GROUND-CHERRY 



PHYSALIS PRUINOSA L. 



We have no notes on this species; it is, however, represented 

 by an herbarium specimen collected in the vicinity of the lake. The 

 ground cherries are so difficult of identification that it is almost im- 

 possible to keep field notes concerning them without devoting a 

 great deal of attention to the group. 



665. PRAIRIE GROUND-CHERRY 



PHYSALIS LANCEOLATA Michx. 



In flower along the railroad June 4, 1901. In the late autumn 

 of 1904 a plant, which was probably this species, was noted on the 

 bank of the lake near McSheehy's. The plant was rather tall, 

 and bore yellow berries which, while not wholly free from the rank 

 odor and taste so common among members of this genus, were much 

 better eating than most of them. 



666. VIRGINIA GROUND-CHERRY 



PHYSALIS VIRGINIANA Mill. 



Occasional about the lake. We have an herbarium specimen but 

 no specific records or notes. 



667. BLACK NIGHTSHADE; DEADLY NIGHTSHADE 



SOLANUM NIGRUM L. 



Quite common everywhere in open places in moderately dry 

 ground. Quite variable in size. On *the shore it was found near 



