PUYSALIS — GUOUND CIIEKKY. 217 



Habitat. — In moist situations ; common. Litroduced from Europe. 



Parts C'stv/. — The young In-anches — i'niled States J'harmacopada. 



Constilacnts. — As its common name indicates, this phint has n taste 

 which is first bitter, then sweet. Its only important constituent thus far 

 discovered is a peculiar principle termed dalcamarin ; this has, to an intense 

 degree, the taste of the plant. 



l\ep(irations. — Extrac^tum dulcamara-, fluidum — fluid extract of dul- 

 camara. — United States I'harmacojMua. The i)lant is frecpiently adminis- 

 tered in decoction. 



3Zedicat Properties and Uses. — Bittersweet, in full doses, produces a 

 certain amount of cei'ebral disturbance of a narcotic character, together 

 with dryness of the throat, and sometimes an erythematous eruption of the 

 skin, with a tendency to diai)horesis. It has been employed witli benefit in 

 a variety of cutaneous eruptions, in nmscular rheumatism, and in chronic 

 bronchial and jiulmonary affections. 



This plant shoixld be carefully distinguished from Wood// Bittersweet 

 {Celastras scandens), which see. 



Another species of this genus, S. nigrum Linno {Btaeh Xifjhtshadr), also 

 introduced, and very common in waste places around dwellings, is said to 

 possess similar properties. 



PIIY8ALIS.— GuOUND CirERHY. 



Chnrader of the Genus. — Calyx 5-clcft, persistent, enlarging after flower- 

 ing, and at length enclosing the berry. Coi'olla wheel-shaped or bell- 

 shaped, with a very short tube, the margin 5-lobed. Stamens 5, enclosed 

 in the tube of the coi'oUa. Fruit a succulent, 2-celled beiTy. Annual or 

 perennial herbs. 



Physalis Alkekengi Linnc. — Strawberry Tomato, Winter Cherry. 



Description. — Calyx-teeth awl-shaped ; fruiting calyx much inflated, 

 membranaceous, turning red at maturity. Corolla-tube very short, cover- 

 ing the stamens. Berry globular, bright red, edible. 



A perennial herb. Stem 1 to 1} foot high, sparingly branched, more or 

 less pubescent. Leaves large, broadly ovate, pointed, somewhat narrowed 

 at the base. Flowers solitary, axillary, greenish-white, appearing late in 

 summer. 



Habitat. — Introduced from Europe ; cultivated, and naturahzed in waste 

 places. 



Physalis Pennsylvanica Linne. 



Description. — Calyx-lobes variable ; fruiting cah'x conical or globular- 

 ovate, pointed, with an impressed base. Corolla 5-angled or barely 5- to 

 10-toothed ; the tube marked with five concave spots. Berry red. 



A perennial herb. Stem 1 foot high, erect or diffuse, minutely pubes- 

 cent or nearly glabrous. Leaves ovate, oblong, or oblong-lanceolate and 



