PHYSALIS — GROUND CHERRY. 217 



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



Parts Used. — The young branches — United States Pharmacopoeia. 



Constituents. — As its common name indicates, this plant has a taste 

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

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

 degree, the taste of the plant. 



Preparations. — Extractum dulcamara) fluidum — fluid extract of dul- 

 camara. — United States Pharmacopoeia. The plant is frequently adminis- 

 tered in decoction. 



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

 certain amount of cerebral disturbance of a narcotic character, together 

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

 skin, with a tendency to diaphoresis. It has been employed with benefit in 

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

 bronchial and pulmonary affections. 



This plant should be carefully distinguished from Woody Bittersweet 

 (Celastrus scandens), which see. 



Another species of this genus, S. nigrum Linne {Black Nightshade), also 

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

 possess similar properties. 



PHYSALIS.— Ground Cherry. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx 5-cleft, persistent, enlarging after flower- 

 ing, and at length enclosing the berry. Corolla wheel-shaped or bell- 

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

 in the tube of the corolla. Fruit a succulent, 2-celled berry. Annual or 

 perennial herbs. 



Physalis Alkekengi Linne. — 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 14- 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 naturalized in waste 

 places. 



Physalis Pennsylvania Linne. 



Description. — Calyx-lobes variable ; fruiting calyx 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 



