CLASS V. ORDER I. 87 



Stems short, difl'use, concealed in the leaves. Leaves crowded, 

 linear obtuse, fleshy, evergreen. Calyx leaves five, oblong, ob- 

 tuse. Corolla hypocrateriform, white, the border in five flat 

 segments. Stamens inserted in the tube. Style exserted ; stig- 

 ma obtuse. 



On the highest summit of the White mountains, where it 

 forms moss-like tufts among the rocks, beautifully spangled in 

 July with showy white flowers. — Perennial. 



95. SOLANUM. 

 SoLANUM DULCAMARA. L. Bitterswect, Woody Nightshade. 

 Stem shrubby, flexnous, without thorns; upper 

 leaves hastate ; clusters cj'^mose. Sm. 



American Medical Botany, PI. xviii. 

 Stem woody, climbing upon fences and bushes. Lower 

 leaves heart shaped, entire ; upper ones ovate, furnished with 

 two ears at the base, giving them a hastate form. Clusters on 

 the sides and ends of the stem, on branching and spreading stalks, 

 drooping. Flowers with five acute, spreading or reflexed, purple 

 segments. Anthers forming a yellow tube projecting from the 

 flower. Berries oval, bright red. This plant is common in low 

 grounds, by the side of brooks, &c. As a medicinal article it 

 holds a place in most dispensatories. — July. 



SoLANUM NIGRUM. L. JBlack Nightshade 



Stem herbaceous, without thorns ; leaves ovate, 

 bluntly toothed and waved. Umbels lateral, droop- 

 ing. Sm. 



Much more ordinary in its appearance than the last. Stem 

 erect, branching, angular, and sometimes winged. Leaves ovate 

 alternate. The umbels come out from the sides of the stem, re- 

 mote from the leaves. They consist of drooping white flowers, 

 with yellow anthers. Berries round, black. This variety was 

 probably imported from Europe. It grows among rubbish, and 

 has the aspect and reputation of a poisonous plant. 



