Solanaceae Family
The Solanaceae, commonly referred to as the potato family, is a large and diverse family of flowering plants predominantly found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. This family includes various vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, and medicinal herbs.
Vegetative Characters
- Plant Types: Most members are herbs or shrubs, and some species can grow into small trees.
- Stem: The stems are generally herbaceous, though some may be woody. They can be aerial, erect, cylindrical, branched, either solid or hollow, and may be hairy or glabrous. An example of an underground stem is found in the potato (Solanum tuberosum).
- Leaves: The leaves of Solanaceae plants are typically alternate, simple, or occasionally pinnately compound, and they lack stipules. The venation is usually reticulate.
Floral Characters
- Inflorescence: The flowers can be solitary, axillary, or cymose as seen in the genus Solanum.
- Flower Structure: They are bisexual and exhibit actinomorphic symmetry. The calyx consists of five persistent, united sepals with valvate aestivation. The corolla comprises five united petals, also arranged with valvate aestivation.
- Androecium: The flower possesses five stamens that are epipetalous, meaning they are attached to the corolla.
- Gynoecium: The ovary is bicarpellary, syncarpous, superior, and bilocular with swollen placenta containing many ovules arranged axile.
- Fruits: The fruit type varies and can be either a berry or a capsule, with the seeds being numerous and endospermous.
Economic Importance
Members of the Solanaceae family include important agricultural products such as tomatoes, brinjals (eggplants), and potatoes, as well as spices like chili. Additionally, the family includes medicinal plants like belladonna and ashwagandha, fumigatory crops such as tobacco, and ornamental species like petunia.