596 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



Cherry) the pungency is in the pericarp as well as in the pla- 

 centa and seed. In larger varieties (Squash, Bell, Sweet 

 Movmtain), the pungent taste is located for the most part 

 about the seeds, while the fleshy pericarp is "mild." 



Uses. — Medicinally, the red pepper is used in a great 

 variety of ways. Probably its most important use is as a 

 condiment, Cayenne Pepper being the common form. This 

 is made by grinding up the entire fruit to a fine powder. 

 Pepper sauce is the unground fruit preserved in brine or 

 strong vinegar. Tabasca Pepper and Tabasca Catsup are 

 examples of this. ChilU con carne is a mixture of small, 

 finely ground peppers and meat. Peppers are commonly 

 used in tamalas, also in pickles and salads, while bell-shaped 

 and squash varieties are used as mangoes. Some varieties, 

 such as Little Gem and Prince of Wales, are grown for orna- 

 mental purposes. 



NICOTIANA (Tobacco) 



Habit' — Most representatives of this genus are tall, stout 

 herbs. Several (as N. glaiica and N. tomentosa) grow to a 

 height of lo feet or more. S. wigandioides is half-shrubby. 

 They are annual or pereimial in habit, and for the most part 

 sticky-pubescent; they have a strong odor, and narcotic, 

 poisonous properties. 



Leaves. — The leaves are simple, alternate, mostly large, 

 entire or wavy along the margin, petioled (in N. glauca), or 

 sessile and decurrent. 



Inflorescence and Flowers. — The inflorescence is a terminal 

 raceme or panicle. The flowers are large and vary in color: 

 white, yellowish, yellowish-white, greenish, purpKsh, or rose. 

 The calyx is synsepalous, five-cleft, and usually persists in 

 the fruit. The corolla is salverform or funnelform, five- 

 lobed, and the tube is longer than the limb. There are five 



