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