NIGHT SHADE FAMILY. SOLANACEAE.

Fig 160. [Jimson Weed. Thorn-apple. Datura Stramonium] L.

Jimson Weed. Thorn-apple. Datura Stramonium L. Pods ovoid, densely prickly, about 4 cm. long; seeds black to brown, flattened, with 6–10 slight irregular elevations, the whole surface covered with minute shallow pits, short kidney shaped, i. e., one edge nearly straight or slightly notched, the remainder of the margin making about two-thirds of a circle. 3–3.5 mm. long. Most likely introduced from Asia. A coarse, poisonous weed found in waste places.

Fig 161. [Purple Jimson Weed. Purple Thorn-apple. Datura Tatula.]

Purple Jimson Weed. Purple Thorn-apple. Datura Tatula. The color of the stems are purple, the flowers and pods nearly the same as those last above; seeds of the two scarcely if at all unlike. Naturalized from tropical America. Waste places.

Fig 162. [Horse Nettle. Solanum Carolinense L.]

Horse Nettle. Solanum Carolinense L. Berry orange-yellow, 1.6 to 2 cm. in diameter; seeds lemon yellow, slightly double convex, obovate 2.1–2.9 mm. long, surface finely granular all over. Native of the southwest U. S. It spreads rapidly by long roots.

Fig 163. [Black Nightshade. Solanum nigrum] L.

Black Nightshade. Solanum nigrum L. Berry black, smooth, globose, 8–10 mm. in diameter; seeds finely granular, dull, yellowish to light brown, flattened, unsymmetrically ovate, about 1.5 mm. long. Native to this country. I have the best of authority for saying that these berries when ripe make good pies, whether the uncooked fruit is poisonous there is less proof. Of little importance.

Fig 164.[Beaked Nightshade. Solanum rostratum] Dunal.

Beaked Nightshade. Solanum rostratum Dunal. Fruit surrounded by a persistent prickly calyx about 2 cm. long; seeds flattened, irregularly undulate or wrinkled, dark brown or black, usually ovate or circular in outline, 2–2.5 mm. in diameter, surface covered with small pits. Introduced into Michigan from the southwest. A coarse prickly weed.