the winter-cherry; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. There are 16 species; of which the most remarkable is the alkekengi, or common winter-cherry. This grows naturally in Spain and Italy. The roots are perennial, and creep in the ground to a great distance if they are not confined. These, in the spring, shoot up many stalks, which rise to the height of a foot or more, garnished with leaves of various sorts; some of which are angular and obtuse, some oblong and sharp pointed, with long foot stalks. The flowers are produced from the wings, standing upon slender foot-stalks; are of a white colour, and have but one petal. They are succeeded by round berries about the size of small cherries, inclosed in an inflated bladder, which turns red in autumn, when the top opens and discloses the red berry, which is soft, pulpy, and filled with flax kidney-shaped seeds. Soon after the fruit is ripe, the stalks decay to the root. The plant is easily propagated, either by seeds or parting the roots.