Nightshade
The nightshades (Solanaceae) are a family of flowering plants.
| Solanaceae | |
|---|---|
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| A flowering Brugmansia x insignis from the US Botanic Garden | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Family: | Solanaceae
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Many members of the family contain strong alkaloids, and some are very toxic. Well-known members of this family are chili peppers, petunias, deadly nightshade, mandrakes, potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines (eggplants) and tobacco.
Because it is thought that nightshades can cause or increase swelling and pain, many people do not eat them. The poisons in the plants are defence against animals that might eat them.
Nightshade Media
- Illustration Solanum dulcamara0 clean.png
Illustration of Solanum dulcamara. 1. flower; 2. flower in longitudinal section, without the petals; 3. androecium; 4. ovary, in transverse section; 5. seed viewed from above; 6. seed in transverse section – note the curved embryo surrounding the endosperm; A. branch with leaves and flowers; B. stem with immature and mature fruit
- Diagramme floral Solanum tuberosum-tag.svg
Floral diagram of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), Legend: 1 = sepals 2 = petals 3 = stamens 4 = superior ovary
- Jussieu Antoine-Laurent de 1748-1836.jpg
Antoine Laurent de Jussieu
- Physalis infinemundi Wilf 1.tif
Physalis infinemundi Wilf 1
- Solanaceae map.svg
Map showing the distribution of the Solanaceae throughout the world (light green areas)
- Solanine.svg
Chemical structure of solanine
- Tropane 2.svg
Chemical structure of the tropanes.
- Nicotine.svg
Chemical structure of nicotine.
- Kapsaicyna.svg
Chemical structure of capsaicin
- Brugmansia bianca rose.jpg
Pink, double-flowered Brugmansia cultivar