Solanaceae

Solanaceae is a family of flowering plants, many of which are edible, while others are considered poisonous. The family is informally known as the nightshade or potato family. The family includes the Datura or Jimson weed, eggplant, mandrake, deadly nightshade or belladonna, capsicum (paprika, chili pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, and petunia. The Solanaceae family has a cosmopolitan distribution, being present on all continents except Antarctica.

Description

The Solanaceae are mostly herbs and shrubs, and a few trees and vines, usually with a slightly disagreeable odor. The leaves are alternate, often with the lower ones paired. The flowers are actinomorphic and hermaphrodite. The fruit is usually a berry or a capsule.

Taxonomy

The Solanaceae family is a part of the order Solanales, in the asterid group and class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). The family was first described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789. The name of the family comes from the genus Solanum "the nightshade plant". The etymology of the Latin word is unclear. The name may come from a perceived resemblance of certain solanaceous flowers to the sun and its rays.

Economic importance

Many members of the Solanaceae family are widely used by humans and are important sources of food, spice and medicine. However, Solanaceae species are often rich in alkaloids whose toxicity to humans and animals ranges from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities.

See also

• List of Solanaceae genera
• Solanum
• Capsicum
• Datura
• Mandrake (plant)
• Belladonna
• Potato
• Tobacco
• Tomato
• Petunia

References

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External links

• Solanaceae Source - A comprehensive data source for the nightshade family

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