Solanaceae -

-
Stems with internal phloem
Flowers: 5 connate sepals, 5 connate petals:
The Potato Family forming variously tubular corolla; 5 stamens,
filaments adnate to corolla, sometimes
94 genera anthers connivent; usually 2(-5) carpels,
2,950 species connate and oriented obliquely to the median
plane of the flower; superior ovary.
- Fruit: usually a berry (occ. a capsule,
schizocarp or nutlet).

Required genus: Solanum

- Ca. 1,400 species, mostly tropical.
- Herbs or shrubs.
- Corolla regular, rotate, 5-merous, deeply
lobed.
- Anthers forming a tube around the style
(connivent), with terminal openings;
filaments short.
- Fruit: a berry, usually 2-locular.

Connivent Asterids: Reduced Phylogeny of Required

anthers Families

Distribution:
A cosmopolitan family, but main areas of
distribution occur in tropical and subtropical
regions, especially in Central and South America.
Economic Uses:
- This family contains many species of great
economic importance. These include potato
(Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Lycopersicon
esculentum), and the peppers (various
Capsicum spp.).
- Many members are also cultivated for their
alkaloid content. The most important
example is tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
- Various members of this family are also
grown as ornamentals. References for further inquiry:
- Nee, M. Solanaceae. Pp. 355-357. In: Smith, N. et
Characteristic features: al. (eds), Flowering Plants of the Neotropics.
- Herbs, shrubs, trees and vines. Princeton, Princeton University Press (2004).
- Leaves alternate; plants often with a - Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., &
‘solanaceous smell’. Seberg, O. Solanaceae. Pp. 305-307. In: Flowering
- Complex chemistry with solanaceous tropane Plant Families of the World. New York, Firefly
alkaloids (belladonna, nicotine, capsaicin, Books (2007).
etc.)

Prepared by: Mischa Olson

Year updated: Spring 2013