Solanaceae
A flowering Brugmansia x insignis from the US Botanic Garden
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Juss.
Genera
Acnistus Atropa (deadly nightshade) Browallia Brugmansia (angel's trumpet) Brunfelsia Calibrachoa Capsicum (peppers) Cestrum Chamaesaracha Combera Crenidium Cuatresia Cyphanthera Cyphomandra Datura (jimsonweed) Hyoscyamus (henbane) Iochroma Juanulloa Lycianthes Lycium (boxthorn) Mandragora (mandrake) Nicandra Nicotiana (tobacco) Nierembergia or cupflower Nolana Petunia Physalis (tomatillo) Scopolia Solandra Solanum (tomato, potato, eggplant) Streptosolen Withania Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta—liverworts Anthocerotophyta—hornworts Bryophyta—mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta—rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta—zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta—clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta—trimerophytes Pteridophyta—ferns and horsetails Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta—seed ferns Pinophyta—conifers Cycadophyta—cycads Ginkgophyta—ginkgo Gnetophyta—gnetae Magnoliophyta—flowering plants... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants (also called angiosperms) are the dominant and most familiar group of land plants. ... Magnoliopsida is the botanical name for a class: this name is formed by replacing the termination -aceae in the name Magnoliaceae by the termination -opsida (Art 16 of the ICBN). ... Families at least the following: Solanaceae Convolvulaceae and others, varying between classification systems; for details see text The Solanales are an order of flowering plants, included in the asterid group of dicotyledons. ... Portrait of Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu Antoine Laurent de Jussieu (April 12, 1748 - September 17, 1836) was a French botanist. ... For other uses of the word, please see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species Atropa belladonna Atropa mandragora Atropa is a genus of plants in the nightshade family. ... Binomial name Atropa belladonna L. Deadly nightshade or belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a well-known perennial shrub, with leaves and berries that are highly toxic. ... Species See text. ... Species See text Brugmansia is a genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae, native to subtropical regions of South America, along the Andes from Colombia to northern Chile, and also in southeastern Brazil. ... Species See text Brunfelsia is a genus of about 40 species of neotropical shrubs and small trees. ... Species See text. ... Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to Mexico, and now cultivated worldwide. ... Species Cestrum is a tropical evergreen shrub from the West Indies. ... Species (incomplete list) Cyphomandra abutiloides Cyphomandra betacea tree tomato Cyphomandra cajanumensis Cyphomandra crassicaulis Cyphomandra diploconos Cyphomandra divaricata Cyphomandra diversifolia Cyphomandra dolichocarpa Cyphomandra endopogon Cyphomandra hartwegii Hartwegs cyphomandra Cyphomandra maternum Cyphomandra obliqua Cyphomandra oblongifolia Cyphomandra roseum Cyphomandra unilobum Cyphomandra maternum Cyphomandra sibundoyensis Cyphomandra tegore Cyphomandra is a genus in the... Species See text below Datura is a genus of 12-15 species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. ... Binomial name Datura stramonium Datura stramonium is the name of a poisonous weed, sometimes used as a hallucinogen. ... Henbane, Hyoscyamos Niger (Solanaceae) originated in Eurasia where it was used in combination with other plants, such as mandrake, as an anaesthetic potion. ... Binomial name Hyoscyamus niger L. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a plant of the family Solanaceae that originated in Eurasia. ... Species Iochroma coccinea Iochroma cyanea Iochroma fuchsioides Iochroma is a genus of about 20 species of shrubs and small trees found in the forests of Central and South America. ... Species About 100, including: Lycium afrum Lycium barbarum - wolfberry Lycium carolinianum Lycium chilense Lycium depressum Lycium europaeum Lycium ferocissimum Lycium pallidum Lycium ruthenicum Lycium tetrandrum Boxthorn (Lycium) is a genus of about 100 species of plants in the Solanaceae, native throughout most of the tropical and warm temperate zones of... Species About 100, including: Lycium afrum Lycium andersonii Lycium barbarum - wolfberry Lycium berlandieri Lycium carolinianum Lycium chilense Lycium depressum Lycium europaeum Lycium exsertum Lycium ferocissimum Lycium fremontii Lycium pallidum Lycium ruthenicum Lycium tetrandrum Boxthorn (Lycium) is a genus of about 100 species of plants in the Solanaceae, native throughout most... Species Mandragora autumnalis Mandragora officinarum Mandragora turcomanica Mandragora caulescens Mandrake is the common name for members of the plant genus Mandragora belonging to the nightshades family (Solanaceae). ... Species Mandragora autumnalis Mandragora officinarum Mandragora turcomanica Mandragora caulescens “Mandrake root” redirects here. ... Species Nicandra physaloides Nicandra is a genus of a single hardy annual species Nicandra physaloides – also known as Shoo-fly plant, or Apple of Peru. ... Species See text Nicotiana refers to a genus of short-leafed plants of the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America. ... This article is about the product manufactured from Tobacco plants (Nicotiana spp. ... Species See text. ... Species See text. ... Petunia is a widely-cultivated genus of flowering plants of South American origin, in the family Solanaceae. ... Species About 80, see text Physalis is a genus of plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to warm temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. ... Binomial name Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ... Scopolia is a creeping perennial in the species carniolica, with light green leaves and reddish flowers. ... Species See text. ... Species See text. ... Binomial name Solanum lycopersicum L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. ... Binomial name L. The eggplant, aubergine or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a solanaceous plant bearing a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. ... Binomial name Streptosolen jamesonii The marmalade bush (Streptosolen jamesonii Benth. ...

Wikispecies has information related to:

Solanaceae

The Solanaceae is a family of flowering plants, many of which are edible, while others are poisonous (some have both edible and toxic parts). The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the Latin verb solari, meaning "to soothe". This would presumably refer to alleged soothing pharmacological properties of some of the psychoactive species found in the family. It is more likely, however, that the name comes from the perceived resemblance that some of the flowers bear to the sun and its rays, and in fact a species of Solanum (Solanum nigrum) is known as the sunberry. The family is also informally known as the nightshade or potato family. The family includes the Datura or Jimson weed, eggplant, mandrake, deadly nightshade or belladonna, capsicum (paprika, chile pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, and petunia. The Solanaceae family is characteristically ethnobotanical, that is, extensively utilized by humans. It is an important source of food, spice, and medicine. However, Solanaceae species are often rich in alkaloids that can range in their toxicity to humans and animals from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities. GFDL Wikispecies logo File links The following pages link to this file: Solanaceae Species Asterias Homo (genus) Human Wikipedia:Template messages/Links Wikipedia:Template messages/All Homo floresiensis User talk:Tuneguru Template:Wikispecies Categories: GFDL images ... Wikispecies is a sister project supported by the Wikimedia Foundation that anybody can edit with a great potential use to students and researchers. ... In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is 1) a rank or 2) a taxon in that rank. ... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants (also called angiosperms) are the dominant and most familiar group of land plants. ... The skull and crossbones symbol (Jolly Roger) traditionally used to label a poisonous substance. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... Species See text. ... It has been suggested that Verbal agreement be merged into this article or section. ... Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmakos (φάρμακον) meaning drug, and logos (λόγος) meaning science) is the study of how substances interact with living organisms to produce a change in function. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. ... Species See text below Datura is a genus of 12-15 species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. ... Binomial name Datura stramonium Datura stramonium is the name of a poisonous weed, sometimes used as a hallucinogen. ... Binomial name L. The eggplant, aubergine or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a solanaceous plant bearing a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. ... Species Mandragora autumnalis Mandragora officinarum Mandragora turcomanica Mandragora caulescens “Mandrake root” redirects here. ... Binomial name Atropa belladonna L. Deadly nightshade or belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a well-known perennial shrub, with leaves and berries that are highly toxic. ... Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to Mexico, and now cultivated worldwide. ... Bell peppers come in various shapes and colors, and are used to make paprika. ... The chile pepper, chili pepper, or chilli pepper, or simply chile, is the fruit of the plant Capsicum from the nightshade family, Solanaceae. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. ... This article is about the product manufactured from Tobacco plants (Nicotiana spp. ... Binomial name Solanum lycopersicum L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Petunia is a widely-cultivated genus of flowering plants of South American origin, in the family Solanaceae. ... Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people: Fromethno - study of people and botany - study of plants. ... For other uses, see Spice (disambiguation). ... medicines, see medication and pharmacology. ... Chemical structure of ephedrine, a phenethylamine alkaloid An alkaloid is, strictly speaking, a naturally occurring amine produced by a plant,[1] but amines produced by animals and fungi are also called alkaloids. ... // Toxic and Intoxicated redirect here – toxic has other uses, which can be found at Toxicity (disambiguation); for the state of being intoxicated by alcohol see Drunkenness. ...

Flowers are typically conical or funnelform with five petals, usually fused. The leaves are alternate, often with a hairy or clammy surface. Solanaceous plants produce a fruit that is either a berry, as in the case of the tomato, or a dehiscent (breaks open upon drying, or dehiscing, releasing the seeds) capsule as in the case of Datura. The seeds are usually round and flat, being 2-4 millimeters in diameter. The stamens are usually present in multiples of four (most commonly four or eight). The ovaries are inferior. The hypogynus gynoecium is a syncarp located obliquely in relation to the median. For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Several types of berries from the market. ... Flowers and fruit (capsules) of the ground orchid, Spathoglottis plicata. ... Flower of the spider tree (Crateva religiosa) with its numerous conspicuous stamens The stamen is the male organ of a flower. ...

Alkaloids

The Solanaceae are known for possessing a diverse range of alkaloids. As far as humans are concerned, these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both, though they presumably evolved because they reduced the tendency of animals to eat the plants. An alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and other animals. ...

One of the most important groups of these compounds is called the tropane alkaloids. The term "tropane" comes from a genus in which they are found, Atropa (the belladonna genus). The belladonna genus is so named after the Greek Fate, Atropos, who cut the thread of life. This nomenclature betrays the toxicity and lethality that has long been known to be characteristic of these compounds. Tropane alkaloids are also found in the Datura, Mandragora, and Brugmansia genera, as well as many others in the Solanaceae family. Chemically, the molecules of these compounds have a characteristic bicyclic structure and include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. Pharmacologically, they are the most powerful known anticholinergics in existence, meaning they inhibit the neurological signals transmitted by the endogenous neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Symptoms of overdose may include mouth dryness, dilated pupils, ataxia, urinary retention, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, and death. Despite the extreme toxicity of the tropanes, they are important drugs when administered in appropriate (and extremely small) dosages. They can reverse cholinergic poisoning, which can be caused by overexposure to pesticides and chemical warfare agents such as sarin and VX. More commonly, they can halt many types of allergic reactions. Scopolamine, a commonly used opthamalic agent, dilates the pupils and thus facilitates examination of the interior of the eye. They can also be used as antiemetics in people prone to motion sickness or receiving chemotherapy. Atropine has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and heart, whereas scopolamine has a sedative effect. Chemical structure of tropane Tropane (C8H15N, 8-methyl-8-aza-bicyclo[3. ... For other uses of the word, please see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species Atropa belladonna Atropa mandragora Atropa is a genus of plants in the nightshade family. ... For information on the erotic actress Belladonna see: Belladonna. ... Fates redirects here. ... In Greek mythology, Atropos was the third of the Moirae. ... Species See text below Datura is a genus of 12-15 species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. ... Species Mandragora autumnalis Mandragora officinarum Mandragora turcomanica Mandragora caulescens Mandrake is the common name for members of the plant genus Mandragora belonging to the nightshades family (Solanaceae). ... Species See text Brugmansia is a genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae, native to subtropical regions of South America, along the Andes from Colombia to northern Chile, and also in southeastern Brazil. ... Atropine is a tropane alkaloid extracted from the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and other plants of the family Solanaceae. ... Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is a tropane alkaloid drug obtained from plants of the family Solanaceae (nightshades), such as henbane or jimson weed (Datura species). ... Hyoscyamine is a chemical compound, a tropane alkaloid it is the levo-isomer to atropine. ... An anticholinergic agent is a member of a class of pharmaceutical compounds which serve to reduce the effects mediated by acetylcholine in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. ... Chemical structure of D-aspartic acid, a common amino acid neurotransmitter. ... The chemical compound acetylcholine, often abbreviated as ACh, was the first neurotransmitter to be identified. ... The term symptom (from the Greek syn = con/plus and pipto = fall, together meaning co-exist) has two similar meanings in the context of physical and mental health: A symptom can be a physical condition which shows that one has a particular illness or disorder (see e. ... Xerostomia is the medical term for a dry mouth due to a lack of saliva. ... // Mydriasis is an excessive dilation of the pupil due to disease or drugs. ... Ataxia (from Greek ataxiā, meaning failure to put in order) is unsteady and clumsy motion of the limbs or torso due to a failure of the gross coordination of muscle movements. ... Urinary retention also known as ischuria is a lack of ability to urinate. ... A hallucination is a sensory perception experienced in the absence of an external stimulus, as distinct from an illusion, which is a misperception of an external stimulus. ... This article is about the medical term, epileptic seizure, as distinct from a non-epileptic seizure. ... In medicine, a coma (from the Greek koma, meaning deep sleep) is a profound state of unconsciousness. ... A synapse is cholinergic if it uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter. ... the plane is spreading pesticide. ... Chemical warfare is warfare (and associated military operations) using the toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy. ... Sarin, also known by its NATO designation of GB (O-Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a nerve agent. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is a tropane alkaloid drug obtained from plants of the family Solanaceae (nightshades), such as henbane or jimson weed (Datura species). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... It has been suggested that airsickness, seasickness be merged into this article or section. ... Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat disease. ... Stimulants are drugs that temporarily increase alertness and wakefulness. ... A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... A sedative is a substance which depresses the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in calmness, relaxation, reduction of anxiety, sleepiness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow, uncertain reflexes. ...

Cocaine is also considered a tropane alkaloid due to its structural similarity to the aforementioned compounds. Its pharmacology, however, is radically different, and it does not occur in the Solanaceae family. Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ...

The most famous alkaloid from the Solanaceae family is nicotine. Like the tropanes, its pharmacology acts on cholinergic neurons, but with the opposite effect (it is an agonist as opposed to an antagonist). It has a higher specificity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors than other ACh proteins. Its effects are well known. Nicotine occurs naturally in the Nicotiana or Tobacco genus. Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae), predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine), and green pepper. ... Agonists An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response in the cell. ... Antagonists In medicine and biology, a receptor antagonist is a ligand that inhibits the function of an agonist and inverse agonist for a specific receptor. ... Nicotinic Receptors form ion channels present in the plasma membrane of cells. ... Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae), predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine), and green pepper. ... Species See text Nicotiana refers to a genus of short-leafed plants of the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America. ... This article is about the product manufactured from Tobacco plants (Nicotiana spp. ...

Capsaicin is structurally unrelated to nicotine or the tropanes, and is found in the genus Capsicum, which includes chile peppers such as Tabasco peppers and habaneros. The compound is not appreciably toxic to animals. However, it stimulates specific pain receptors in most mammals, those which sense heat, in the oral mucosa as well as many other epithelial tissues. This causes a sensation of burning not unlike an actual heat or chemical burn. It is used in high concentration as a deterrent in pepper sprays, and sought after for many culinary dishes for its "spiciness". It is thought that the reason one would deliberately induce pain while eating is the rewarding release of endorphins it has been shown to induce. The "hotness" of capsaicin products and foods is expressed in Scoville units. A scoville unit is the factor by which the capsaicin-containing substance must be diluted to render the resulting solution imperceptible to a tester (for example, a teaspoon of a 5,000 Scoville unit hot sauce would have to be diluted with 4,999 teaspoons of a sugar water solution to negate its potential to cause a sensation on the palate). The chemical compound capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum. ... Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to Mexico, and now cultivated worldwide. ... The chile pepper, chili pepper, or chilli pepper, or simply chile, is the fruit of the plant Capsicum from the nightshade family, Solanaceae. ... Trinomial name Capsicum frutescens var. ... A habanero chile A habanero plant with chiles The habanero chile (Capsicum chinense Jacquin) (Spanish, from Havana) is the most intensely spicy chile pepper of the Capsicum genus. ... The mucous membranes (or mucosa) are linings of ectodermic origin, covered in epithelium, that line various body cavities and internal organs. ... In zootomy, epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. ... Endorphins are endogenous opioid biochemical compounds. ... The Scoville scale is a measure of the hotness of a chile. ... There are hundreds of varieties of hot sauce Hot sauce, chili sauce, or pepper sauce refer to any spicy sauce made from chili peppers and other ingredients. ...

Nutritional importance

The most important species of this family for the global diet is the potato or Solanum tuberosum. Although this plant itself is generally considered toxic, swollen subterranean sections of modified stem known as tubers generally possess no toxicity. Instead, the tubers contain a copious store of carbohydrates that both the plant and humans can use to obtain energy. However, the tubers may become toxic if allowed to sprout. Green areas on a potato indicate new growth, which may indicate the presence of chaconine and solanine. These glycoalkaloid compounds can be in sufficient concentrations in a single potato serving to be poisonous to humans. In many genera, the fruits are the desirable item, for example, tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplants, and peppers. Some people experience sensitivity or allergy-like symptoms in response to nightshade plants. Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber. ... A tuber is a part of a rhizome thickened for use as a storage organ, usually, though not always, subterranean, such as a potato. ... Carbohydrates (literally hydrates of carbon) are chemical compounds that act as the primary biological means of storing or consuming energy, other forms being fat and protein. ... Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family. ... Glycoalkaloid is a type of poisen found in spieces in the Nightshade family. ... Binomial name Solanum lycopersicum L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Binomial name Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ... Binomial name L. The eggplant, aubergine or brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a solanaceous plant bearing a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. ... Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to Mexico, and now cultivated worldwide. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

External links

• SOL Genomics Network
• Solanaceae Network - pictures of plants
• Solanaceae Source - A worldwide taxonomic monograph of all species in the genus Solanum.
• Solanaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. http://delta-intkey.com
• Solanaceae in USDA Plants Database.
• http://personal.denison.edu/~kuhlman/WOL/plants.html

Additional reading

D'Arcy, William G. (1986). Solanacea. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-05780-6.