Winter Cherry.

Botanical name: 

Alkekengi.

A VERY singular and pretty plant kept in our gardens; it grows two feet high, not very erect, nor much branched; the stalk is thick, strong, and angulated: the leaves are large, broad, and sharp pointed; the flowers are moderately large, and white, but with yellow threads in the middle; the fruit is a round red berry, of the bigness of a common red cherry, contained in a green hollow husk, round, and as big as a walnut.

The berries are the only part used, they are to be separated from the husks and dried; and may be then given in powder or decoction. They are very good in stranguries, heat of urine, or the gravel: they are also given in jaundices, and dropsies: they will do good in these cases, but are not to be depended upon alone.


The Family Herbal, 1812, was written by John Hill.