A FEW REMARKS 
ON 
OUR NATURALIZED SOLANUM 8. 
(Read before the Queensland Philosophical Society by F. M. Bailey , F.L.S., 
Cor. M. R.S., Tas . ; R.S., Vic . ; L.S., N. S. Wales, on Vlth March , 1881 .) 
I am induced to bring under your notice the following 
short descriptive notes on some of the naturalized or supposed 
naturalized Solanums found near our towns, to assist in their 
identification in the event of some of our medical men investi- 
gating their properties. We know the fruit of some said to be 
poisonous in Europe is eaten by the children of this colony with 
impunity at times, w T hile at other times the effect has been 
direful. 
Dr. Bancroft tells me that in a few experiments which he 
has made with some of the naturalized species here mentioned, 
their properties vary considerably. Of the large genus 
Solanum over one thousand have been described, 700 of which 
are considered well marked distinct species ; these, although 
most abundant in America, are found scattered throughout the 
warmer and temperate regions of the globe. The Australian 
species number about 50, forty-three of which are perhaps 
endemic. With regard to stature, the Australian species, as 
those of other countries, vary considerably, some forming quite 
small trees, others again attaining but the height of a few inches. 
The first to notice is the common garden and scrub weed, — 
Solanum nigrum, Linn. The black-fruited Nightshade, or, 
as it is more frequently called by Brisbane children, Native 
Currant. There are two very distinct forms of this species. 
The one which may be called the normal form is of annual 
duration, branching somewhat erect two, three, or more feet high, 
but slightly hairy, and the stems more or less rough, with raised 
somewhat toothed angles. The leaves are ovate in outlines, 
and often irregularly toothed, 1 to 3 inches long, petioles 
usually long. Flowers, small, white, in lateral cymes, on a 
common peduncle of about 1 inch long. Calyx, five-toothed. 
Corolla, deeply lobed 3 or 4 lines diameter. Anthers, obtuse, 
the terminal slits often continued down the sides. Berry, 
small, black, globular, the calyx reflexed under the fruit. 
