Solanaceae

/ˌsoʊləˈneɪsi/ noun

Definition

The nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants, tobacco, and petunias. Many members contain alkaloids, making some species toxic while others are important food crops, and most have five-petaled flowers and berry-like fruits.

Etymology

From Latin 'solanum,' meaning 'nightshade,' the type genus of this family. The name reflects the family's association with many plants that were traditionally considered poisonous or magical, often called 'nightshades.'

Kelly Says

Solanaceae is a family of Jekyll and Hyde plants! While it gives us beloved foods like tomatoes and potatoes, it also includes some of the world's most poisonous plants like deadly nightshade—many species produce alkaloids that can be either medicinal or deadly depending on the dose.

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