LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 8

LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS.

No. 50.— BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum

nigrum, L.).

By T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., etc., Lond., Govern-

ment Biologist,

This i? a veiy widely-diffused weed. It is a spreading annunl, frequently with quite a clothing of hair?. The leaves are from lin to . 3m long, and frequently toothed. The flowers arc like &mall white stars. They are" arranger! in what botanists call cymes, or branched flower clutters. Tho berries are greenish-black, or purple, and are generally believed to be x^oiwnous. Although in New

| Zealand no instance of death from eating this weed has been proved, yet in Australia it is generally suspected, and some seemingly well authenticated cases of death, both m human being 3 and stock, are quoted. It at any rate belongs to a family with a bad name, though one which - includes useful plants, and should be lo_oked upon with suspicion till its inn6b"end& is proved. It is at any raie very probable that if the green fruit -and frequent rank growth of foliage are eaten, the acridity would produce very serious gastric disturbance. Specimens of this and" other reputed poisonous plants will, during the spring, be submitted to the recently appointed Agricultural chemist for analysis.

Portion of plant sh/wing branch, leaves, flowers, and fruit. From nature.