Solanaceae: the Nightshade family

ClassificationKingdom: PlantaeClass: MagnoliopsidaSubclass: AsteridaeOrder: SolanalesFamily: Solanaceae

General InformationGenera: about 95Species: over 2000Distribution: temperate and tropical; greatest diversity foundin Central and South America

Habit:HerbsShrubsTreesLianas (woody vines)

Leaves:Pinnately veinedAlternateSimpleExstipulateOften hairy

Inflorescences:Solitary or cymose

Flowers:BisexualUsually actinomorphicSuperior ovaryAxile placentationUsually have 5 petals, 5 sepals,5 stamens, 2 carpels, 2 loculesPetals and sepals are oftenunited

Fruit:BerryCapsule

Major Genera in Solanaceae

AtropaBrowalliaBrugmansiaCalibrachoaCapsicumDaturaHyoscyamusLycium

LycopersiconMandragoraNicotianaPetuniaPhysalisSalpiglossisSchizanthusSolanum

Atropa belladonnaDeadly nightshade

Browallia spp.Bush violet

Brugmansia spp.Angel’s Trumpet

Calibrachoa spp.

Capsicum annuumPepper (bell and hot)

Capsicum frutescensBird pepper

Datura spp.Datura

Hyoscyamus nigerHenbane

Lycium spp.Box thorn, matrimony vine

Lycopersicon esculentumTomato

Mandragora officinarumMandrake

Nicotiana alataOrnamental Tobacco

Nicotiana tabacumTobacco

Petunia xhybridaPetunia

Physalis alkekengiChinese Lantern

Physalis ixocarpaTomatillo

Physalis peruvianaCape gooseberry

Salpiglossis spp.Painted tongue flower

SchizanthusxwisetonensisButterfly flower

Solanum dulcamaraBittersweet nightshade

Solanum melongenaEggplant

Solanum nigrumBlack nightshade

Solanum pseudocapsicumJerusalem cherry

Solanum tuberosumPotato