The originall place hereof is not well knowne, but is thought to bee the West Indies. It hath been planted of long time in most of these Countries, where it abideth reasonable well, so that some care bee had thereof in the extreamity of the Winter.
The Time.
It flowreth sometimes it Iune but vsually in Iuly and August, and the fruit is not ripe (as is said) vntill the Winter.
The Names.
This plant hath diuers names; for it is thought to be that kinde of Amomum that Plinie setteth downe. Dodonæus calleth it Pseudocapsicum, for some likenesse in the leafe and fruit vnto the small Capsicum or Ginnie Pepper, although much vnlike in the taste and property. Others doe call it Strichnodendron, that is, Solanum arborescens, and wee in English according thereunto, Tree Night shade. But some Latin asses corrupting the Latine word Amomum, doe call it the Mumme tree. Dalechampius calleth it Solanum Americum, seu Indicum, and saith the Spaniards call it in their tongue, Guindas de las Indias, that is, Cerasa Indiana, Indian Cherries, which if any would follow, I would not bee much against it: but many Gentlewomen, doe call them Winter Cherries, because the fruit is not throughly ripe vntill Winter.
The Vertues.
I finde no physicall property allotted vnto it, more then that by reason of the insipidity, it is held to be cooling.