Stramonium
The fruits of Solanum quitense, and other species, are edible. About sixty-six genera and 1200 species are included under Solanaceae. Examples: Cestrum, Lycopersicum, Nicotiana, Petunia, Physalis, and Solanum. SOLANDRA (named in honour of Daniel Charles Solander, LL.D., F.R.S., 1736-1782, a Swede, disciple of Linnaeus, and fellow-traveller with Sir Joseph Banks and Captain Cook). ORD. Solanaceae. A small genus (about four species) of tall-climbing, stove shrubs, natives of tropical America. Flowers large; calyx long-tubular, two to five-cleft at apex; corolla funnel-shaped, with an ample, campanulate throat, and a limb of four broad lobes; stamens five, declinate above the middle; pedicels solitary, thick. Berries globose, pulpy. Leaves entire, coriaceous, shining. The species are very handsome subjects when in flower. If allowed abundance of space and moisture, they grow rapidly, but produce no blossoms. In order to avoid this, insert the plants in loamy soil, and encourage them to grow rapidly at first by giving plenty of water; then withhold water altogether until the leaves begin to drop off from drought, and an abundance of flowers will be the result. Propagation may be readily effected by cuttings, inserted in mould or tan. If small flowering plants are desired, the cuttings should be taken from flowering shoots. S. grandiflora (large-flowered).* Peach-coloured Trumpet Flower. fl., calyx 2in. to 3 1/2in. long, three or four-cleft; corolla greenish-white, 7in. to 10in. long, the lobes undulate-crenate. March and April. fr. greenish, ovoid-globose, of a sweet, sub-acid flavour. l. elliptic or elliptic-oblong, 2 1/2in. to 5in. long. h. 15ft. Jamaica, 1781. (B. M. 1874.) S. guttata (spotted). fl. erect, terminal; corolla pale yellow, marked with purple spots in the throat, large, funnel-shaped, the lobes crispately crenated, spreading. March. l. broadly elliptic-oblong, 3in. to 6in. long, acute, downy beneath. h. 10ft. Mexico, 1830. (B. R. 1551.) S. laevis (smooth). fl. fragrant; calyx 4in. long, tubular, two-lipped at the extremity; corolla greenish-cream-colour, white at the limb, nearly 1ft. long, slender below, bell-shaped above, the limb spreading, of five singularly crisped and waved lobes; peduncles thick, 1/2in. long. November. l. alternate, oblong-oval or somewhat obovate, acute, paler beneath, small in proportion. Branches spreading, 2ft. long. South America, 1846. (B. M. 4345.) S. longiflora (long-flowered). fl., calyx about 3in. long; corolla white, with a purplish tinge, 1ft. long, the lobes undulately toothed. November. fr. 1 1/2in. in diameter. l. elliptic-, lanceolate-, or obovate-oblong, 2 1/2in. to 4in. long. h. 6ft. Jamaica, 1846.
S. viridiflora (green-flowered).* fl. green, terminal, solitary, pedunculate; calyx segments five, acute; corolla drooping, the segments elongated and revolute. May to July. l. elliptic-oblong, attenuated at both ends, acuminate, glabrous, h. 2ft. to 3ft. Brazil, 1815. Deciduous. (B. M. 1948.) Dyssochroma viridiflora is now the correct name of this plant.
SOLANUM (the old Latin name, used by Pliny). Nightshade. Including Aquartia and Nycterium. ORD. Solanaceae. An immense genus (upwards of 900 species have been described, but not more than 700 are distinct as such) of spiny or unarmed, stove, greenhouse, or hardy shrubs, herbs, or small trees, of very variable, habit; they are mostly confined to the hotter parts of the globe, and are especially abundant in America. Flowers yellow, white, violet, or purplish; calyx campanulate or spreading, five or ten-toothed, lobed, or parted, rarely four-parted; corolla tube very shortly rotate or rarely broadly campanulate, the limb five (rarely four or six) lobed, plaited in bud; stamens five, rarely four or six, affixed to the throat; filaments very short; cymes dichotomous or racemose, lateral or terminal. Berry globose or elongated. Leaves alternate or sub-opposite in equal pairs, entire, lobed, or pinnatisect. The most important species in the genus is S. tuberosum, which has been exhaustively treated in this work under its common name, Potato. For the most recent conclusions respecting this species and the origin of the Potato, see the papers published in vol. xxvi. of the "Gardeners' Chronicle." S. Melongena furnishes the fruit known as Aubergine (which see), and the berries of several other species are edible. S. Dulcamara (Bittersweet) and S. nigrum are British plants. Solanums succeed in almost any rich, loamy soil. The annuals, and a large proportion of the other species, may be readily raised from seeds. Those which bear tubers may be increased thereby; and the stove and greenhouse shrubby plants may generally be propagated from cuttings, inserted, when young, in a warm propagating frame. For sub-tropical gardening, S. marginatum, S. robustum, and S. Warscewiczii are invaluable; S. Capsicastrum and S. Pseudocapsicum are popular plants for greenhouse decoration when covered with their bright-coloured berries. Out of twenty tuber-bearing species which have been named, J. G. Baker (in the "Journal of the Linnean Society," vol. xx.) is of opinion that "six, viz.: S. tuberosum, S. Maglia, S. Commersoni, S. cardiophyllum, S. Jamesii, and S. oxycarpum, possess a fair claim to be considered as distinct species in a broad sense." A large number of the species have been introduced to cultivation, and many of them are highly deserving of a place in the garden, on account of their ornamental appearance. Except where otherwise indicated, those described below are shrubs. All flower in summer.
S. acanthodes (spiny).* fl., calyx hemispherical, bristly; corolla pale blue-purple, nearly flat, lobed to about the middle, 2 1/2in. in diameter, the margins waved; cymes lateral, scorpioid, six to ten-flowered. l. 1ft. or more long, ovate or obovate-oblong, pinnatifidly lobed to the middle or lower, deeply two-lobed at base; lobes horizontal, sinuate, sub-acute; midrib and horizontal nerves orange-red, and, as well as the petioles, prickly. Stem and branches dark green and bright orange, prickly. h. 3ft. to 6ft. Brazil, 1863. Stove. (B. M. 6283.) S. aethiopicum (African). fl., calyx leafy, five to seven-cleft; corolla white, deeply five to seven-cleft, the segments triangular-oblong; racemes few-flowered, drooping. fr. red, large, globose, edible. l. ovate-lanceolate, repand-angled, solitary or twin, petiolate, 5in. long, very unequal at base, acuminate, paler beneath. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high. Africa, 1597. Hardy annual. S. amazonium (Amazon). fl., calyx five-cleft; corolla blue, with five yellow rays on the outside, five-cleft, 2in. in diameter; pedicels one-flowered; peduncles 1in. long; racemes cymose, terminal or lateral, nearly 2in. long. l. solitary, above twin, rarely ternate, petiolate, spreading, 4in. to 5in. long; lower ones larger, sometimes 6in. long, sparsely prickly on the nerves and petioles. Stem unarmed. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Mexico, 1800. Stove. (B. R. 71; L. B. C. 352.) SYN. Nycterium amazonicum (B. M. 1801).
S. Anguivi (Anguivi). A synonym of S. indicum.
S. anthropophagorum (man-eating). Cannibal's Tomato. fl. small; calyx five-lobed; corolla white, rotate, pubescent; pedicels few, drooping. fr. red, resembling tomatoes, obscurely two-lobed, nippled at apex. l. glabrous, ovate, acuminate, entire or (the lower ones) angularly lobed, long-petiolate. h. 6ft. Fiji. Stove. The berries of this species were formerly eaten by the natives with human flesh. (B. M. 5424.) S. asarifolium (Asarum-leaved). fl., calyx truncately five-toothed; corolla whitish, rotate, five-lobed; peduncles sub-axillary, one-flowered. l. twin, very unequal, membranous, glabrous; one petiolate, ovate-cordate, rounded at apex, entire, slightly ciliated; the other sessile, minute, orbicular. Stem creeping, branched. Venezuela, 1870. Stove perennial. (Ref. B. 255.) S. atropurpureum (dark-purple).* fl., calyx tinged with purple, deeply five-cleft; corolla diluted with yellow, somewhat five-parted, the segments acuminate, four lines long; racemes lateral, six to eight-flowered, nearly 1in. long. fr. white, at length yellow. l. 6in. to 7in. long, long-petiolate, unequally sub-cordate, five to seven-parted, armed with robust prickles nearly 1in. long. Stem erect, branched, dark blood-colour; prickles unequal, dark purple at base. h. several feet. Brazil, 1870. Greenhouse sub-shrub. (Ref. B. 207.) S. aviculare. Bird Solanum; Kangaroo Apple. fl. few, in short, loose, pedunculate racemes; calyx lobes short; corolla violet, 3/4in. to 1in. in diameter, very shortly and broadly lobed. fr. green or yellow, rather large. l. lanceolate, acute or rarely almost obtuse, mostly entire on old specimens, often pinnatifid, the larger ones 6in. to 10in. long. h. 5ft. to 6ft. Australia and New Zealand, 1772. An erect, greenhouse shrub or sub-shrub. (B. M. 349, under name of S. laciniatum.) S. Balbisii (Balbis'). A synonym of S. sisymbriifolium. S. betaceum (Best-leaved). A synonym of Cyphomandra betacea. S. campanulatum (bell-shaped). fl., calyx four to five lines long; corolla violet or blue, broadly campanulate or almost rotate, 1in. in diameter. very shortly lobed; racemes loose, lateral. fr. 3/4in. to 1in. in diameter. l. petiolate, ovate, sinuate-lobed, with short, broad lobes, or rarely more deeply pinnatifid, 2in. to 4in. long. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Australia, 1836. A prickly, greenhouse herb or under-shrub. (B. M. 3672.) S. Capsicastrum (Star Capsicum).* fl. similar to those of S. Pseudo-capsicum, disposed in short racemes nearly opposite the leaves. fr. scarlet, about the size of a hazel nut. l. twin, one being much smaller, all penninerved, entire or slightly repand; the larger one oblong-lanceolate, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; the smaller one lanceolate or obovate. Stem branched. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Brazil. Greenhouse sub-shrub, very ornamental when in fruit. (F. d. S. 1242.) There is a variegated form of this species.
S. cardiophyllum (heart-leaved). fl., calyx cyathiform, five-toothed; corolla cream-coloured, five-parted, the segments triangular, flat, acuminate, at length revolute; cymes few-flowered, terminal. l. auriculate, pinnate; leaflets two or three pairs, not interrupted, somewhat round-cordate, slightly fleshy. h. 3ft. Mexico, 1846. Hardy, tuberous perennial; at present not in cultivation in Britain. (J. H. S. iii. 71.) S. ciliatum (ciliated). fl. nodding; calyx deeply five-cleft; corolla white, five-parted, nine to eleven lines across; racemes short and few-flowered; peduncles solitary or twin. fr. pure scarlet, globular, nearly as large as a Tangierine orange. l. petiolate, ovate-oblong, sinuate-lobed; lobes usually five, sometimes three or seven, ovate, acute, entire or repand, prickly. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, straight, branched, very prickly. Porto Rico, 1871. Greenhouse annual. (F. M. 521; F. d. S. 1988.) S. Commersoni (Commerson's). fl. in loose, compound cymes; calyx teeth as long as the tube; corolla pale lilac or white, 1/3in. to 1/2in. long. l. sometimes, but not always, pseudo-stipitate, 5in. to 6in. long; leaflets five to nine, oblong, acute or often obtuse, the terminal one much the longest, the lowest pair much dwarfed; petioles 1in. to 1 1/2in. long. Rootstock bearing copious large tubers. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1822. Hardy perennial. (R. G. 1885, p. 368, and R. H. 1883, pp. 498, 499, under name of S. Ohrondii.) S. corniculatum (horned). A garden synonym of S. cornigerum. S. cornigerum (horn-bearing). fl. erect; calyx small; corolla violet, star-shaped, three or four times longer than the calyx; racemes terminal, loose, few-flowered. fr. yellow, pendent, ovate-conical, bearing five blunt, conical, horn-like appendages. l., cauline ones 1 1/2in. long, trisected, the segments marcescent, caducous; those of the branches sessile, cordate, ovate-oblong, acuminate, nearly triangular. Brazil, 1868. Stove climber. (R. H. 1868, 33.) SYN. S. corniculatum (of gardens).
S. crinitum (hairy). fl., calyx five-parted; corolla white, 1 2/3in. to 2in. in diameter; racemes lateral, cymose, nearly simple, 4in. long. fr. silky-villous, seven lines long. l. petiolate, broadly ovate, 1ft. to 2ft. long, unequally cordate, undulated, sinuate-lobed, hairy, purple-veined; lobes short, slightly acute, tomentose-woolly on both sides, yellowish-green and unarmed above, whiter and prickly beneath. Stem and branches armed with many prickles. h. 4ft. to 5ft. Cayenne. Greenhouse.
S. crispum (curled).* Potato-tree. fl. fragrant; calyx five-toothed; corolla bluish-purple, five-cleft, eight to ten lines in diameter; corymbs 3in. to 3 1/2in. long, terminal, at length lateral. fr. yellowish-white, as large as peas. l. simple, undivided, entire or slightly repand, petiolate, ovate, ovate-lanceolate, or sub-cordate, 3in. to 4in. long, often cuspidate at apex, loosely crisped on the margins. Stem sub-shrubby, broadly diffuse; branches herbaceous. Chili, 1824. A very showy, hardy plant, growing 12ft. to 14ft. high against a wall. (B. M. 3795; B. R. 1516; L. B. C. 1959; P. M. B. iii. 1.) S. c.ligustrinum (Privet-leaved). fl. in glabrous, few-flowered corymbs. l. sub-cordate, 1 1/2in. long, highly glabrous. Branches terete, glabrous, green. Chili, 1831. (L. B. C. 1963, under name of S. ligustrinum.) S. cyananthum (blue-flowered). fl., calyx much spreading, five-parted; corolla blue, 2in. to 2 1/2in. in diameter; peduncles 2in. long, whitish, prickly, hairy; racemes nearly 4in. long, about five-flowered. l. petiolate, cordate, ovate-elliptic, undulated, 14in. long, almost unarmed, sinuate-repand or sinuate-lobed; petioles 2 1/2in. to 3in. long, sub-terete, villous. Branches stellate, villous, whitish, prickly, and hairy. h. 6ft. Brazil, 1880. Greenhouse.
S. Dulcamara. Bittersweet; Dulcamara; Felon-wood; Woody Nightshade. fl. many, drooping; calyx lobes obtuse; corolla purple or white, 1/2in. in diameter, the lobes revolute; cymes panicled, leaf-opposed or lateral. fr. red, rarely yellow-green, 1/2in. in diameter, l. ovate or cordate, sometimes three to five-parted, 1in. to 3in. long, acuminate. Stem 4ft. to 6ft. long, trailing. Europe (Britain), &c. Perennial. (B. M. Pl. 190; F. D. 607; Sy. En. B. 930.) S. D. marinum (sea-loving). l. fleshy. Stem prostrate, branched. South Coast. S. esculentum (edible). A synonym of S. Melongena.
S. etuberosum (non-tuberous). A form of S. tuberosum. S. Fontanesianum (Fontaines'). fl., calyx urceolate, five-cleft; corolla yellow, scarcely regular, nine to ten lines in diameter, semi-five-cleft, the segments cuspidate, woolly-villous outside; racemes three or four-flowered, nearly 2in. long. l. petiolate, sub-pinnatipartite, 6in. long; lobes unequally sinuate, 1/2in. to 2 1/2in. long, hairy and prickly on both sides; prickles yellow, 2in. to 5in. long. Stem rigid. h. 4ft. Mexico, 1813. Hardy annual, armed with recurved prickles. (B. R. 177.) S. fragrans (fragrant). A synonym of Cyphomandra betacea. S. giganteum (gigantic).* fl., corolla blue, 3/4in. in diameter, the tube nearly as long as the lobes; cymes terminal, densely many-flowered, stellately white-woolly. l. oblong, cuneate at both ends, 8in. long, undulated. Stem thick, soft, prickly, stellately white-woolly. h. 10ft. to 25ft. India, 1792. Plant sub-arboreous. Greenhouse. (B. M. 1921.) S. glaucophyllum (glaucous-leaved). A garden synonym of S. glaucum. S. glaucum (glaucous). fl., calyx cyathiform, five-cleft; corolla blue, star-shaped, ten to eleven lines in diameter; corymbs terminal, at length lateral, 3in. long, sub-trichotomous. l. very shortly petiolate, lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, 5in. to 6in. long, glaucous, white-margined; petioles whitish, wing-margined. Stem erect, simple, smooth, glaucous. h. 6ft. Buenos Ayres, 1880. Stove perennial. (B. H. iii. p. 165.) SYN. S. glaucophyllum (of gardens).
S. Hookerianum (Hooker's). fl., calyx of four deep segments, the lower evidently formed of two, cohering at the margin; corolla blue, eight to sixteen lines in diameter, five-cleft, the lobes shorter than the tube; cymes corymbiform, one or few-flowered. fr. dark blue. l. lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, rather blunt, 1 1/2in. to 4in. long, tapering into the short petioles, entire. Stem unarmed. h. 4ft. to 7ft. Mexico, 1793. A very variable, stove shrub. (B. M. 2708, under name of S. coriaceum.) S. hybridum (hybrid). fl., corolla pale blue, five-cleft, seven to eight lines across; cymes or umbels sessile or shortly pedunculate. All the year. l. persistent, ovate-cordate, sinuate-repand, 3 1/2in. to 4in. long, including the petioles, stellate-tomentose, almost unarmed. Stems suffruticose. h. 2ft. Mexico, &c. Stove.
S. indicum (Indian). fl., calyx lobes 1/6in. long; corolla blue, 3/4in. to 1in. in diameter, the lobes broadly triangular, tomentose outside; racemes lateral, many-flowered; peduncles short, extra-axillary. fr. yellow. l. ovate, sinuate or lobed, 3in. to 6in. long, stellately woolly beneath, prickly on the nerves; petioles 1in. long. h. 1ft. to 6ft. India, China, and Malaya, 1732. A very prickly, much-branched, stove under-shrub. SYN. S. Anguivi (H. E. F. 199).
S. Jamesii (James'). fl., corolla white, the segments lanceolate-deltoid, equalling the tube; cymes few-flowered. fr. globose. l. distinctly petiolate; leaflets nine to eleven, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Stem short, slender. Tubers minute. h. 9in. South-western United States and Mexico, 1884. Hardy perennial. (B. M. 6766.) S. jasminoides (Jasmine-like).* fl., calyx short, five-toothed; corolla bluish-white, nine to ten lines in diameter, deeply five-cleft, spreading; racemes 1in. to 1 1/4in. long, about ten-flowered. l. petiolate, mostly sub-cordate, ovate-acuminate, entire or sub-repand, rounded at base, 1 3/4in. long, sometimes two to five-cleft or parted, and 2in. to 2 1/2in. long. Stems many, 3ft. to 4ft. long, twiggy, sarmentose, leafy. South America, 1838. Greenhouse, deciduous twiner. (B. R. xxxiii. 33; P. M. B. viii. 5.) The variety foliis variegatis has leaves blotched with creamy-white. S. laciniatum (torn). A synonym of S. aviculare.
S. lanceolatum (lanceolate-leaved). fl., calyx five-cleft; corolla blue, 1in. in diameter, semi-five-cleft, the segments ovate-triangular; cymes, or cymose corymbs, 1in. to 4in. long, unarmed. fr. orange-coloured, erect, globose. l. lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 6in. to 9in. long, acuminate, acute, unequal at base, obscurely greenish-canescent above; petioles five to ten lines long. Stem 6ft. or more high, with a few short, straight prickles. Mexico, 1800. Stove. (B. M. 2173.) S. lycioides Iodasterum (Lycium-like). fl., calyx five-parted; corolla angular, violet, yellow within, with a five-rayed, dark purple star; peduncles filiform, bearing one flower, axillary. l. elliptic, obovate-elliptic, or ovate-lanceolate, entire, cuneate at base, shortly decurrent into the petioles, paler beneath, 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. long. Branches numerous, spiny. h. 4ft. Peru, 1791. Stove. (B. R. xxxii. 25, under name of S. lycioides.) S. macrantherum (large-anthered). fl. sub-corymbose, long-pedicellate; calyx sinuately five lobed; corolla violet, with a five-parted limb 1in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter; anthers brown, thick, in diameter. l. long-petiolate, ovate, acuminate, rounded or sub-cordate at base, entire or sub-repand, hairy-pubescent, 3in. to 5in. long. Stems climbing, woody. Mexico, 1838. Greenhouse. (B. R. xxvii. 7.) S. macranthum (large-flowered). A synonym of S. maroniense. S. Maglia (Maglia). fl., corolla white, the segments short, deltoid; style elongated. l. distinctly petiolate; leaflets few-jugate, ovate, acute. Tubers large. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Chili and Peru, 1862. Hardy perennial. This is, in all probability, merely a geographical form of S. tuberosum. (B. M. 6756.) S. marginatum (margined).* fl., calyx five or six-cleft, prickly or unarmed; corolla white, with a small, purple centre, five or six-cleft, outside, as well as the peduncles and pedicels, snowy-tomentose. fr. yellow, pendulous, globose, 1in. or more in diameter. l. sub-cordate, sinuate-lobed, prickly on both sides, snowy-tomentose beneath, whitish-margined above. Stem erect, 3ft. to 4ft. high, snowy-tomentose, prickly. Abyssinia, 1775. Greenhouse. (B. M. 1928.) S. maroniense (Maroni River).* fl., calyx 1/2in. to 3/4in. in diameter, unarmed or prickly; corolla bluish-violet, five or six-cleft, 1 1/2in. to 2 1/2in. in diameter, the segments acute; racemes cymose, 1in. to 5in. long, seven to twelve-flowered. l. solitary, sub-sessile, attenuated into winged petioles 10in. to 15in. long, cuneate, ovate, lanceolate, or lanceolate-elliptic, sinuate-angled or sinuate-lobed; lobes nine or ten, entire or sub-repand, prominently prickly on the veins. Stem prickly, branched at apex. h. 6ft. to 14ft. Brazil. Stove. (B. M. 4138, under name of S. macranthum.) S. Melongena (Melongena).* Bringall or Brinjal; Egg Plant; Jew's Apple; Mad Apple. fl., calyx lobes 1/4in. to 1/2in. long; corolla blue, 1in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter, shortly lobed, hairy on the plaits without; cymes lateral, few-flowered. fr. white, yellow, or dark purple, ellipsoid or elongated, 1in. to 9in. in diameter, edible. l. ovate, sinuate or lobed, 3in. to 6in. long, stellately woolly beneath, prickly, rarely all unarmed. h. 2ft. to 8ft. Native country uncertain (widely cultivated throughout the tropics and frequently semi-naturalised). 1597. Greenhouse annual. SYN. S. esculentum. There are several garden varieties of this; the following are two of the best: CHINESE BRINJAL, fruit white, long, very juicy, less fibrous than other sorts; LARGE PURPLE, fruit sometimes as much as 6in. or 7in. long, and 1ft in circumference. See also Aubergine.
S. myrtifolium (Myrtle-leaved). fl., corolla blue, five-parted, the segments broadly ovate, undulated, acute; racemes short, lateral. l. lanceolate, glabrous, attenuated at both ends. Branches terete, green. h. 3ft. South America. Greenhouse. (L. B. C. 1431.) S. nigrum (black). Hound Berry. fl. few, drooping; calyx lobes obtuse; corolla white, 1/3in. to 2/3in. in diameter, the lobes ciliated, recurved; cymes lateral, umbellate. fr. black, yellow, or red, 1/3in. in diameter. l. rhomboid-ovate, narrowed into the petioles, 1in. to 3in. long, sinuate or toothed Stem erect, 6in. to 2ft. high, usually tubercled. Europe (Britain), &c. Annual. (Sy. En. B. 931.) S. n. miniatum (scarlet). fr. scarlet. l. toothed. Kent. (Sy. En. B. 932.) S. oxycarpum (sharp-fruited). fl. borne in loose, few-flowered cymes. fr. ellipsoid, cuspidate. l. distinctly petiolate; leaflets nine to eleven, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Stem short and slender. Tubers minute. Mountains of Central Mexico. Hardy perennial. This species is not in cultivation. S. platanifolium (Plane-leaved). fl., calyx small, five-cleft, prickly in fruit; corolla diluted with violet, seven to eight lines in diameter, five-parted; peduncles usually one-flowered, unarmed. fr. beautifully variegated with green and white, at length yellow, 1 1/4in. in diameter. l. petiolate, five-lobed, 3 1/4in. long; lobes irregularly incised, ciliated on the margins. Stem hairy, sparsely prickly. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Northern South America. Greenhouse sub-shrub. (B. M. 2618.) S. Pseudo-capsicum (false Capsicum).* Jerusalem Cherry. fl., corolla white, five-parted; pedicels solitary or few in a lateral fascicle; common peduncle scarcely any. fr. scarlet, rarely yellow, globose, about 1/2in. in diameter. l. oblanceolate or oblong, often repand, bright green and shining, narrowed at base into short petioles. h. 4ft. Madeira, 1596. Greenhouse. A few handsome hybrids have been raised from this species.
S. P.-c. rigidum (rigid). fr. bright orange-colour, globose. A fine, ornamental, garden hybrid. 1868.
S. P.-c. Weatherilli (Weatherill's). fr. bright orange-coloured, oval, pointed. l. strongly-veined, wavy. 1868. A handsome shrub. S. pyracanthum (fire-thorn).* fl., calyx five-cleft; corolla bluish-violet, 1in. in diameter, the segments cuspidate; peduncles 2in. long; racemes cymose, simple, many-flowered. l. petiolate, oblong, acuminate, acute, unequal at base, 5in. to 6in. long, pinnatifid, the lobes ovate-lanceolate. Stem 3ft. to 6ft. high, terete, leafy. Madagascar, 1789. A handsome, greenhouse, prickly sub-shrub. (B. M. 2547; F. d. S. 2411.) S. quercifolium (Oak-leaved). fl., calyx five-toothed; corolla violet, four or five times longer than the calyx, five-cleft, the segments acute; racemes terminal, at length lateral, 2in. to 3in. long. l. imparipinnatifid, slightly glabrous, five to seven-lobed, decurrent into the petioles, slightly ciliated, 2 1/2in. to 3 1/2in. long; lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse or acute. Stem 3ft. to 5ft. high, scabrous. h. 2ft. Peru, 1787. Hardy perennial. S. quitenso (Quito). fl. pedicellate, clustered; calyx seven to eight lines in diameter, five-cleft; corolla violet and woolly outside, white within, nearly 1in. in diameter, five-parted; racemes 1in. long, four or five-flowered. fr. globose, the size of a small orange, fragrant, edible. l. cordate, sinuate-angled; lower ones 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long; upper ones in pairs, one being much smaller; all softly woolly; petioles very hairy, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long, ochraceous-rufescent. Stem suffruticose. h. 4ft. to 6ft. Peru. Greenhouse. (B. M. 2739.) S. robustum (robust).* fl. clustered; calyx cyathiform, nearly five-parted; corolla white, ovoid, 1in. in diameter, five-parted; racemes 1 1/2in. to 2in. long. fr. globose, hairy, ferruginous-orange. l. ovate-elliptic, acuminate, sinuate-lobed, green and tomentose-velvety above, ochraceous-ferruginous and woolly-tomentose beneath, prickly on both sides, 5in. to 8in. or more long. Branches robust, densely woolly-tomentose, prickly. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Brazil, 1868. A vigorous and highly ornate, sub-arborescent plant, well suited for the sub-tropical garden. (Ref. B. 37.) S. runcinatum (runcinate). fl. drooping, forming a compound cyme; corolla bright purple, with five blood-red, starry points radiating from the base of the lobes; anthers yellow, large. l. alternate, 2in. to 3in. long, with five or nine undulated segments, waved at the margins, but otherwise entire. Stems procumbent or ascending. h. 2ft. Chili, 1839. Greenhouse perennial. (B. M. 5222; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 177.) S. saponaceum (soapy). fl., calyx cyathiform, deeply five-cleft; corolla bluish-violet or white, thrice as long as the calyx, deeply five-cleft, 2/3in. in diameter; corymbs 2in. to 3in. long and broad, dichotomous. fr. orange, globose. l. petiolate, linear-oblong, entire. Stem erect, branched, with a few remote prickles. h. 4ft. Peru, 1825. Greenhouse. (B. M. 2697.) S. Seaforthianum (Seaforth's).* fl., calyx small, minutely five-toothed; corolla pale red or lilac, deeply five-cleft, scarcely 1/2in. long; pedicels diverging; cymes peduncled, lateral, paniculate. fr. yellowish-red, globose. l. petiolate, ovate, pointed, entire, 1 1/2in. to 3in. long; lower ones (or all) pinnately divided, the terminal segment 1 1/2in. to 3in. long. West Indies, 1804. Stove trailer. (A. B. R. 504; B. M. 1982; B. R. 969; L. B. C. 971; B. M. 5823, under name of S. venustum.) S. sisymbriifolium (Sisymbrium-leaved).* fl. racemose; calyx five-parted; corolla light blue or white, 1in. or more in diameter, five-lobed. fr. red, globose. l. deeply pinnatifid; lobes oblong, sinuate, or even again somewhat pinnatifid. h. 4ft. Brazil, North America (escaped from cultivation). Greenhouse annual or perennial, much armed with prickles. (B. M. 2568; B. 49, under name of S. Balbisii; B. R. 140, under name of S. decurrens.) S. s. acutilobum purpureiflorum (acutely-lobed, purple-flowered). fl. purple. l. pinnatifid. (B. M. 2828, under name of S. Balbisii purpurca.) S. s. bipinnatipartitum (bipinnatipartite). fl. white or purple. l. bipinnately parted. (B. M. 3954, under name of S. Balbisii bipinnata.) S. somniculentum (sleep-giving). fl., calyx nearly hemispherical, small, ten-cleft; corolla diluted with violet, 2in. broad, five-plicate and angled; peduncles axillary, one-flowered. l. solitary or twin, petiolate, ovate, acuminate, oblique and acute at base, 2 1/4in. long. Stem erect, branched, pilose. h. 1 1/2ft. Mexico. Greenhouse. (F. d. S. v. 454.) S. stelligerum (star-bearing). fl. rather small, in lateral racemes; calyx lobes narrow; corolla blue, deeply divided. fr. red, globular, small. l. petiolate, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, rarely broad and obtuse, usually 2in. to 4in. long. h. 6ft. or less. Australia, 1823. An erect, slightly prickly, greenhouse shrub. (S. E. B. ii. 88.) S. texanum (Texan). fl. drooping; calyx stellate-pilose, seven or eight-cleft; corolla whitish-violet, rotate, deeply five-cleft; peduncles solitary, one-flowered. fr. scarlet, torulose, depressed, 1 3/4in. in diameter, resembling tomatoes. l. long-petiolate, unequally sub-cordate, sinuate-repand, 5in. to 8in. long; lobes short and slightly obtuse, with violet prickles beneath. Stem 1ft. or more high, simple, almost unarmed, purplish. Texas, &c., 1861. Half-hardy annual. (F. d. S. 1398.) "S. texanum is probably not Texan, although raised from seeds said to have been collected there. It is probably S. integrifolium of Poiret" (Gray, "Synopsis").
S. Torreyi (Torrey's). fl. large and handsome; calyx often six lobed; corolla violet, rarely white, 1 1/2in. in diameter, the lobes broadly ovate; cymes at first terminal, loose, two or three-cleft. fr. yellow, globose, 1in. in diameter. l. ovate, with a truncate or sub-cordate base, sinuately five to seven-lobed, 4in. to 6in. long; lobes entire or undulated, obtuse, unarmed. Prickles small and subulate, scanty, sometimes nearly wanting. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Texas and Arkansas, 1878. Half-hardy perennial. (B. M. 6461.) S. trilobatum (three-lobed). fl., calyx small, green; lobes ovate, sub-acute; corolla 1in. to 1 3/4in. in diameter, violet, blue, or white; lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse, the midrib of each white at the base, giving a stellate appearance to the base of the corolla; peduncles solitary or accompanied by a single-flowered pedicel, three to six-flowered. fr., berry scarlet, globose, size of a large pea. l. 1in. to 3in. long, oblong, rounded, or ovate, sinuately three to five-lobed, smooth, shining. Stem, petioles, midrib, sometimes the nerves of the leaf beneath, and often the peduncles, armed with stout, recurved prickles. h. 2ft. to 5ft. East Indies, 1759. A prostrate, rambling, or climbing, nearly glabrous undershrub. (B. M. 6866.) S. tuberosum (tuberous-rooted). Potato. fl., corolla lilac or white, with short, deltoid segments. fr. usually globose. l. shortly petiolate; leaflets many-jugate, ovate or oblong, acute. Tubers large. h. 3ft. more or less. South America, 1597. (J. H. S. i. 1-4; T. H. S. v. 11.) For culture, enumeration of varieties, &c., see Potato. Several so-called tuberous-rooted species are referred, by Mr. Baker, to S. tuberosum as mere varieties. S. t. demissum (humble). fl., calyx five-cleft, the segments triangular, acuminate; corolla violet, circular, ten-toothed. fr. spheroid, glabrous. l. somewhat interruptedly pinnate; leaflets rounded-obovate. Root tuberous. Mexico, 1846. A prostrate, hardy perennial. (J. H. S. iii. 69, under name of S. demissum.) S. t. etuberosum (non-tuberous). fl. large, borne in rich clusters; calyx segments not pointed; corolla of a bright purple, with a golden-yellow centre. l. nearly glabrous. Tubers wanting. Chili, 1833. (B. R. 1712, under name of S. etuberosum.) S. t. verrucosum (warted). fl. deeply coloured, large. fr. dotted all over with white, raised points. l., leaflets fewer than in the type, ovate, acute, densely hairy beneath; petiole longer. Tubers smaller, of excellent taste, with yellow flesh. Mexico. (R. H. 1853, 6, under name of S. verrucosum.) S. Tweedianum (Tweedie's). fl. large, nodding, in umbellate racemes; calyx deeply five-cleft; corolla white or pale blue, rotate, semi-five-cleft. l. sub-cordate, ovate, acute, angular-toothed at the base, on long petioles. h. 1 1/2ft. Buenos Ayres, 1833. Greenhouse perennial. (B. M. 3385.) S. uncinellum (slightly hooked). fl., calyx campanulate, with four rounded teeth; corolla rose-coloured, at length spreading, five-parted; panicle terminal, simple. l. entire, ovate-lanceolate, sub-cordate, obsoletely pubescent. Stem decumbent, filiform, pubescent. Brazil, 1837. Stove perennial. (B. R. 1840, 15.) S. venustum (charming). A synonym of S. Seaforthianum. S. Wallisii (Wallis'). fl. in loose, pedunculate cymes; corolla purple, 1in. to 1 1/2in. in diameter; peduncles blackish-violet, fr. violet, marbled and spotted with a paler colour, large, plum-shaped, edible. l. simple, lanceolate, acuminate, entire, 3in. to 4in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, dark purplish-green; petioles and nervures (as well as the stem) blackish-violet. h. 2ft. Peru, 1877. A compact and bushy, stove or greenhouse species. (R. H. 1877, p. 291.) S. Warsewiczii (Warscewicz'). fl. white, numerous; l. large, soft, oval sub-cordiform, deeply nine-lobed; petiole and midrib covered with red, stellate prickles. Native country unknown. Suffrutescent, armed with prickles, half-hardy. A garden species. (R. H. 1865, p. 430.) S. Wendlandii (Wendland's). fl. lilac-blue, 2 1/2in. in diameter; cymes 6in. and more across, terminating pendulous branches. August. l. bright green, variable, 2in. to 10in. long, 1 1/2in. to 4in. broad; uppermost ones simple, oblong, acuminate, with a cordate base, or three-lobed, with the lobes sub-equal or unequal, and sometimes lobed at the sides, or trifoliolate with equal or unequal leaflets; lower leaves on the branches 6in. to 10in. long, pinnate below and pinnatifid above, with four to six pairs of lobes or leaflets, which are ovate or oblong, entire and acuminate; prickles on the stems, branches, and petioles few, scattered, short, hooked. Costa Rica, 1882. Climbing, glabrous, stove shrub. (B. M. 6914.)