Solanum.] eobaginace^. — solanace^. 397 



6. M. versicolor, Lehm. Yellow and Blue Scorpion-grass. 

 " Calyx with spreading uncinate bristles when in fruit oblong 

 closed longer than the almost erect pedicels, limb of the corolla 

 concave shorter than the exserted tube, style as long as the calyx, 

 raceme stalked." — Br. Fl. p. 278. E. B. t. 2558 (ad calcem) and 

 t. 480 (left-hand figure). 



On waste or cullivated ground, dry sandy fields, pastures, walls and tanks, 

 sometimes in moist places, meadows, &c. ; very common. -F/. April — June. 0. 



In a specimen from Kyde I find the hairs of the calyx mostly ap pressed or sub- 

 erect and straight or scarcely uncinate. It agrees well with the figure in E. Bot., 

 and is perhaps the M. pusilla alluded to in Hook. Br. Fl. 3rd ed. p. 104. The 

 calyx however in E. Bot. is drawn quite devoid of hairs, which is obviously an 

 omission'of the engraver. The species of this genus, like those o{ Rubus, Rosa, 

 Salix and some others, seem involved in inextricable perplexity, and are pro- 

 bably inordinately multiplied from varieties of a few well-defined ones. 



Order LIV. SOLANACE^, Juss. 



" Calyx 5-, rarely 4-partite, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, 

 liypogynous, its limb 5 -cleft, equal or somewhat unequal, decidu- 

 ous, with a plicate aestivation. Stamens inserted into the corolla, 

 alternate with its segments and equalling them in number. Ovary 

 1-, 2-, or 4-celled, manj''-seeded. Style 1. Stigma obtuse, rarely 

 lobed. Pericarp 1-, 2-, or 4-celled; either a, capsule with a paral- 

 lel double dissepiment, or a berry, with the recejitacles united to 

 the dissepiments. Seeds numerous. Embryo included in a fleshy 

 albumen more or less curved, often out of the axis. Radicle 

 opposite the hilicm. — Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, without 

 stipules, floral ones sometimes opposite. Inflorescence usually 

 extra- axillary {lateral with respect to the petiole)." — Br. Fl. 



I. Solanum,* Linn. Nightshade. 



Calyx 5 — 10 parted. Corolla rotate. Anthers clustered round 

 the style, their cells opening by 2 terminal pores. Berry 2- or 

 more celled, many-seeded. 



1. S. Dulcamara, Ij. Woody Nightshade.^ Bittersweet. Stem 

 shrubby climbing without thorns flexuose, lower leaves ovate, 

 upper ones hastate auriculate, corymbs cymose drooping opposite 

 the leaves, berries ovate. Sm. E. Fl. i. p. 811. Br. Fl. p. 283. 

 Bind. Syn. p. 182. E. B. viii. t. 565. Curt. Fl. Bond. fasc. i. 

 t. 14. 



|3. Stem and leaves downy. S. Dulc. var. /3. tomentosum, Koc/i, Syn. Fl. 

 Germ, et Helv. p. 508. 



* Derivation very uncertain. It has perhaps been altered from solamen, from 

 its quieting or solacing effects as a medicine. 



f Frequently but most erroneously called Deadly Nightshade. See Atropa. 



