THE PLANT FAMILY SOLANACEAE:
INTRODUCTION
(J.A.M. van BALKEN)
PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE
The purpose of this Website is to provide information on the Plant Family of Solanaceae.
It is my intention to regularly provide more detailed information on each of the
species. I would welcome your comments on the validity of the information provided
and would appreciate any additional information that you are able to supply.
Please contact me:E mail Hans.van.Balken@Skynet.be
INTRODUCTION
The plant family of the Solanaceae is one of the most intriguing plant
families in the world. Not only because it is one of the largest families in plant
kingdom with more than 3,000 species, but because it also includes species which
are essential for life. There are important edible species such as the potato
(Solanum tuberosum L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum (L.) Karsten ex Farwell, chilli pepper, capsicum (Capsicum
species) and cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.). The plant family
also includes species that are grown as ornamentals such as those belonging to
the genera Browallia, Brunfelsia, Cestrum, Datura, Nicotiana, Salpiglossis,
Solanum, Solandra, etc.. Well known are the trumpet-like flowers of Datura
species which are popular as ornamental plants and which can produce flowers of
up to 30 cm. in a variety of colours. Plants of this family do good service as
a medicine or narcotic e.g. Atropa belladonna L. with atropine as an active
ingredient used in ophthalmology, as a dilatator of the pupil of the eye, thorn-apple
leaves (Datura species) used in cigarettes as bronchi-dilatator for asthmatic
patients and (luxury) tobacco (Nicotiana species). The plant family conjures
up a lot of images in mythology, extracts have been used to stimulate hallucinations.
The name Solanaceae is possibly derived from Solari which means ‘soothing’
in Latin. It might also be possible that the name night ‘shades’ refers to the
toxicological properties of several Solanum species which can bring damage
(Dutch: schade) to an individual, or refer to demoniacal powers (Danish: natskade
or night-raven and Swedish: nattskata or bat). The link between the mid-Dutch
word ‘nachtschaduw’ and the English word nightshade has herewith been established.
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| Solanum melongena L. |
Solanum richardiiDunal |
Cestrum fasciculatum(Schlecht.)Miers |
Click on thumbnail to see a larger image
In 1967, during my study biochemistry, I became interested in this plant family
and have been collecting material, growing species and describing them, ever since.
There is so much data on this plant family available that it would be illusionary
to think that everything could be included. Indeed, it was not my intention to
attempt this as there exist a number of excellent works which can hardly be matched
in this respect. I particularlyl refer here to the basic works of G. Bitter and
U. Dammer at the beginning of this century on taxonomy and morphology of a great
number of Solanum species, of T.H. Goodspeed on Nicotiana species,
of P. Francey on the genus Cestrum L. and more recently to the work of
A.T. Hunziker and W.G. D’Arcy. My primary aim was to provide a good overview of
this plant family on paper and to mainly focus on aspects such as taxonomy, morphology
and ethnobotany.
It will take several years to accomplish this task. In the meantime, however,
I will share what I have available on this website.
DISCLAIMER
The information on this website, comprising of text as well as pictures, is
for educational purposes only and is not intended for commercial use. In all
cases, reference has been made to literature. The use of pictures with a copyright
reference can not be allowed. All other pictures on this website are owned by
me; they can not be used for commercial applications but you are welcome to
download them for personal use.
