Solanum

Solanum is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, which include two food crops of high economic importance, the potato and the tomato. It also contains the nightshades and horse nettles, as well as numerous plants cultivated for their ornamental flowers and fruit.

Description

Solanum species show a wide range of growing habits, such as annual and perennials, vines, subshrubs, shrubs, and small trees. Many formerly independent genera like Lycopersicon (the tomatoes) or Cyphomandra are now included in Solanum as subgenera or sections. Thus, the genus today contains roughly 1,500-2,000 species.

Distribution and habitat

The majority of Solanum species are native to the tropical regions of the Americas, but the range of the genus extends into temperate regions as well. Some of the more well-known Solanum species include the potato (S. tuberosum), the tomato (S. lycopersicum), and the eggplant or aubergine (S. melongena).

Uses

Many members of Solanum have been bred for their edible fruits. Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants for their attractive flowers and foliage. Solanum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.

See also

• List of Solanum species
• Solanaceae
• Nightshade

References

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