Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

1. How to grow these plants? Excluding potatoes, all members of this family need warm weather and full sunlight, and should be planted around 6-10 weeks before the last frost. The Solanaceae, or Nightshade Family is comprised of over 2,500 species of flowering plants. Many of these plants are edible vegetables frequently cultivated all across the world, including potatoes and tomatoes, while many are poisonous. Various urban legends still exist, keeping away believers from potatoes and tomatoes for fear of being poisoned. Some members of the Nightshade Family are also used for medicinal purposes. Members of the Nightshade Family are identifiable by the 5 sepals, frequently united, and 5 petals, as well as a two-celled ovary. Solanaceae(Nightshade family) Crops from this Family include: Potatoes Tomatoes Sweet & Chili Peppers Eggplants Tobacco The alkaloid atropine was used by soldiers in the Persian Gulf War as an antidote to nerve gas attacks. Wolfberry Lycium spp. Tomato Plant SolanumIycopersicum Many of the alkaloids derived from the Solanaceae are extremely poisonous, and side effects include delirium, hallucinations, dilation of the pupils, convulsions and coma, and above all, death. Thomas Black Period 4 Botany Mr. Reynolds 9-1-2011 Bibliography http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Solana.html http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Families/Solanaceae.htm