53 



to be used are the same as for belladonna, viz, emetics, cathartics, and 

 stimulants, such as whisky, wine, or strong coffee. An alkaline drink, 

 such as a solution of ordinary washing soda, is strongly recommended. 

 The plants may easily be killed by cutting them down before the fruit 

 matures. 



BITTERSWEET. 



Solarium dulcamara L. 



Other names: Woody nightshade; bittersweet nightshade; wolf 

 grape; violet bloom; scarlet berry; nightshade vine; garden night- 

 shade; staff vine; fever twig; 

 tetonwort. (Fig. 32.) 



Description and habitat.— A 

 climbing, woody, introduced per- 

 ennial 3 to 6 or 8 feet high, with 

 thin leaves, the lowermost of 

 which are ovate or heart shaped, 

 the upper more or less spear- 

 shaped. The flowers are purple, 

 the fruit red. It ripens from July 

 to October and November. The 

 plant thrives best and is common 

 along brooks and ditches from 

 Massachusetts to Ohio, less com- 

 mon elsewhere in damp ground 

 from Maine to North Carolina 

 and westward to Wisconsin and 

 Missouri. 



Poisonous properties and treat- 

 ment. — Besides solanine, this plant 

 contains another less poisonous 

 compound, dulcainarin, which 

 gives it its peculiar bitter-sweet 

 taste. Neither of the compounds 

 is abundant. The berry, though 

 its taste is not remarkably dis 

 agreeable, is somewhat poisonous, 

 and it has been shown that an 

 extract of the leaves is moderately so. The plant has nevertheless 

 caused some ill effect. The treatment is the same as in case of the above 

 species. 



SPREADING NIGHTSHADE. 

 Solarium triflorum Nutt. 



Other name : Wild potato. (Fig. 33.) 



Description and habitat. — A smooth, low annual, with rough, angular, 

 widely branching stems, 7 to 9-lobed leaves, numerous clusters of 

 small white flowers which are grouped in threes, and large green ber- 



FlG. 32. — Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) : a, 

 flowering spray; b, fruit — both one-third natural 

 size. ; 



