The nightshade family is an example of plants. Plants of the nightshade family

21st century - the further a person is from nature, the greater the desire to eat natural products. More and more attention is being paid to the quality of food; we want to know what and how appears on our table. It’s impossible to imagine our menu without potatoes, peppers, eggplants and many other vegetables. They all belong to the same family – nightshade.

general information

The Solanaceae family, from the Dicotyledonous class, Flowering division, from the Plant kingdom, has at least 100 genera and more than 2,500 species.

The family consists of small trees, creeping shrubs and herbs

The leaves have a variety of shapes- can be:

• whole;
• serrated;
• incised;
• lobed

They are located in pairs - large and small. They often have a specific smell.

The flower is bisexual, regular, with a calyx of 5 leaves, shaped like teeth or lobes. The inflorescences-curls have no bracts; they have a double-leaved perianth. Five filaments of stamens are attached to the corolla tube. The ovary of the pistil is two-locular with a large number of ovules. The anthers are large and located closer to the center of the flower. Ch(5)L(5)T(5)P(1) - the formula of which can describe the nightshade flower. The plant has several flowers collected in small inflorescences. The fruit contains a large number of seeds.

In Russia, the family is represented only by herbs, about 45 species. The main representatives come from North and South America. The most famous - potatoes and tomatoes, appeared in Europe only in the middle of the 16th century and were initially considered only as ornamental plants. In Russia, this culture became known two centuries later.

Today, these nightshades are already of irreplaceable importance as a food product.

What beneficial qualities does nightshade have?

Vegetables

The nightshade family includes such popular cultivated vegetables as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

Potatoes - every person knows this plant well. It's hard to imagine a table without it. In the diet of most of us occurs almost daily. Contrary to popular belief, this crop contains useful minerals and is rich in vitamins, especially provitamin A. It is difficult to list all the dishes where potatoes are found.

The diversity is simply amazing; the plant is represented by a mass of varieties of different taste, shape, size, color, chemical composition and quality. There are varieties that are not afraid of frost, and even light frosts; the Colorado potato beetle does not take them. In the general ranking of agricultural crops, this plant is second only to wheat, rice and corn.

An equally popular nightshade is the tomato. Europeans learned about it at the same time as potatoes, but the Aztecs and Incas cultivated this plant already in the 8th century. Today, more than 10,000 varieties of tomato are known. There was a long debate about whether this plant should be classified as a berry or a vegetable. In 2001, the European Union determined that it is a representative fruit. The tomato fruit does not contain cholesterol and has large amounts of vitamins A and C, there is sirotin or the “happiness hormone”. Due to its lycopene content, it is a good anticancer agent and is used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Heat treatment does not impair its beneficial qualities.

Eggplants and a wide variety of peppers are also part of the nightshade family.

Berries

More rare representatives are physalis, melon pear, okra. The okra fruit has only recently appeared in our diet. But in Asia, this nightshade product has been grown for more than 2 thousand years. years. When used correctly, it is an excellent addition to the diet. Known for many wonderful qualities - lowers cholesterol, normalizes blood pressure, heart function, vision, and digestion. Reduces fatigue, improves immunity and much more.

The nightshade species is known for many popular berries.

Everyone knows about gooseberries, another name is bersen. The plant is distributed throughout Russia and the CIS. Since XI it has been grown in monastery gardens. We love modern summer residents. At least 1,500 varieties are known, the crop is valued as a honey plant, rich in sugar, acids, many vitamins, contains pectin substances, and is used in medicine.

The nightshade family contains another interesting plant - the goji berry, or Chinese berry, whose composition is indispensable for humans - iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, phosphorus and many other trace elements. It contains unique polysaccharides and 18 different amino acids, vitamins B, E, C. A good preventative, useful for high sugar, cholesterol, improves vision, nourishes the brain, improves digestion, a good antioxidant, has anti-cancer properties.

The family is simply obliged to have such a berry as black nightshade. The berry is used as a filling for pies, jam is made from it, and jelly is boiled. Let's consider what type of fruit the nightshade has - black, less often white or greenish, round in shape with a diameter of up to 1 cm, juicy. It must be remembered that unripe fruit cannot be consumed, it is poisonous.

Flowers

The nightshade flower is very popular among gardeners. The most common type of petunia is a bright, large, beautiful flower. About 15 species and many hybrids. There is no gardener who could do without petunias. Nightshade rightfully takes its place in flower beds - datura, cestrum, brufelsia. Almost any plant of this species can be grown as an ornamental. Besides the flowers, the fruit looks very beautiful.

Family known many medicinal plants:

• Most often in medicine, a type of nightshade is used, such as belladonna; the leaves are used to make tablets, tinctures, etc.; prescribed to reduce the tone of the intestines, bronchi, uterus, improve heart function, increase eye pressure, as an antioxidant;
• Henbane is well known for its analgesic properties; raw materials are collected until the flower has fully blossomed;
• For many centuries, mandrake has been used for medicinal purposes - as a painkiller, healing wounds, and for skin pathologies; it is difficult to overestimate this plant;
• The black nightshade flower is used for medicinal purposes as an expectorant and diuretic.

However, not everything is so simple; we should not forget the harmfulness of some representatives of this family. Wikipedia gives a fairly complete overview of such plants with pictures; examples of them are widespread in many countries.

What danger does the nightshade species contain?

Any plant from this family contains alkaloids, which makes them poisonous. The most famous alkaloid is nicotine. Tobacco is also a nightshade plant. So much has been written about the dangers of tobacco that it seems there is nothing left to add. Almost all countries of the world declared real war on him.

Quite often, belladonna berries cause poisoning, although this plant is almost harmless to animals. But almost all cultivated nightshades often cause poisoning in horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs. Even regular potatoes can be poisonous. Many cases of mass poisoning by black nightshade have been recorded. To avoid problems, it should be destroyed near pastures.

Among the nightshades there is such a terrible plant as nightshade. A nasty quarantine weed. If you miss the moment, it will quickly clog your garden or vegetable garden. Crop losses reach 100%. The leaves are poisonous to animals; the plant is a breeding ground for the Colorado potato beetle, potato moth, and pathogens of viral diseases.

The nightshade family includes many beneficial and harmful plants. Its prominent representatives are the two most common plants - potatoes and tobacco. We have already decided long ago how to treat them. The nightshade family, from which vegetables, berries and fruits grow, the representatives of which play a key role in human life, is undoubtedly of great interest.

The nightshade family is angiosperms. The family has about two and a half thousand species. Found in countries with warm climates. The main representatives of the species grow in South America. Thanks to their bright flowers, they are pollinated by insects. In the tropics, nightshades can be pollinated by birds.

For humans, nightshades play a vital role. They provide us with food, medicine and help with technology.

There are many vegetables found among the nightshades. Modern nightshade varieties have been selectively bred over many centuries.

Potato. It was potatoes that saved people from collective hunger during times of drought or cold in Russia. Potatoes are the most popular vegetable in Russia. It plays a leading role in human life. Potatoes contain about twenty-five percent starch. Starch is a source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are necessary for the human body to function normally. Potatoes also contain vitamin C.

Eggplant. Eggplant was imported to Russia from India. Nutritionists recommend adding eggplant to your diet; it contains a large amount of calcium salts, which is good for cardiac activity.

Tomato. Tomato or tomato is a frequent guest in every home. Not a single salad can do without it. Useful for gastritis and anemia. The daily consumption rate is one hundred to two hundred grams.

It can be sweet and hot. It is useful for people with high cholesterol. Contains vitamins C and P. These vitamins are needed for the normal functioning of blood vessels. It also accelerates the release of cholesterol from the body. Pepper masks are useful for fast hair growth. In medicine, pepper plasters are used to treat radiculitis, sprains and bruises.

Phasalis. A little-known plant in Russia. Grows in Mexico and South America. Although it has not gained as much popularity as most nightshade vegetables, phasalis is a healthy product. In terms of characteristics and taste, it is similar to a tomato. Smells like citrus fruits and strawberries. The berries are sour. Usually this vegetable is used to make jam or pickle.

Melon pear. The species first appeared in South America. Scientists call the melon pear differently by the term “Pepino”. Pepino is shaped like a pear. The vegetable is intended to be added to salads, side dishes and other homemade dishes. Plus, melon pear has a long shelf life, which is one and a half to two months in the refrigerator. Numbers may vary depending on the variety.

Solanaceous plants in medicine

Poisonous nightshade plants are mainly used in medicine. Doctors use them in small quantities with great caution. You cannot eat medicinal plants. This will lead to severe poisoning.

Nightshade is bittersweet. Grows in tropical and temperate climates. It is a subshrub. The flowers are purple, similar to potato flowers. The plant blooms from May to September. Afterwards bright red fruits appear. Before ripening they are green in color. During this period of ripening they are at greatest risk of poisoning, but there have been cases of people dying from the red fruits. In medicine, bittersweet nightshade is used as a diuretic and expectorant.

Belladonna. Doctors are interested in the roots and leaves of the plant. The remaining parts of the flower have no medicinal benefit. Grows in the southern part of Russia. Mainly in Crimea in pharmaceutical gardens. Used to create tablets and tinctures. Helps in the treatment of high or low cholesterol, ulcers.

Henbane Black. The oil and leaves of the plant are used in medicine. In small doses it acts on humans as a sedative. Used to treat gout and bruises. If the norm is exceeded, the person becomes very excited. Also present in tablets designed to relieve seasickness and air sickness.

Datura common. Datura is used to calm the nervous system. A substance called the alkaloid hyoscine is extracted from the leaves of the plant. This is what leads to this effect.

Tobacco. Tobacco is the plant from which cigarette tobacco is produced. It makes cigarettes addictive. In medicine it is used for skin diseases. There is no use for tobacco in traditional medicine.

Mandrake. There are many species of mandrake, some of which are poisonous. Ripe fruits are suitable for eating, but eating unripe mandrake leads to poisoning. It is a perennial plant. Only the roots are used in medicine.

Scopolia carniolina. Used to treat the sensory organs, liver and digestive tract. Roots and rhizomes are used to prepare medicines.

Nightshade plants for the cottage and garden

The Solanaceae family includes few ornamental plants. Owners of cottages and gardens will love the branching vines and flowers of unusual colors.

Petunia hybrid. An excellent option for landscaping. The plant is undemanding and blooms for a long time. From early summer until frost. The flowers are large, of different colors. There are also two-color and three-color.

Ampel calibrachoa. One of the most beautiful plants from the nightshade family. The flower is suitable for decorating houses, balconies, terraces. Looks like a lot of bluebells.

Fragrant tobacco. Flowering is long and begins in inclement weather. The smell is fragrant. The flowers are snow-white.

You can learn more about nightshades from the video.

>>Biology 6th grade >>Solanaceae family

Nightshade family

General characteristics of nightshades

The nightshade family is quite widespread and diverse in its species. More than ninety genera of nightshades and about three thousand species grow on our planet. They are widespread throughout the globe, but are most abundant in Central and South America and tropical areas.

Among the representatives of the nightshade family you can find not only the species that we eat, but also many ornamental and poisonous plants.

As a rule, representatives of this family include various types of annual and perennial herbs, but shrubs, subshrubs and even trees are also found among the Solanaceae.

Representatives of the nightshade family have simple leaves, which in most species are arranged alternately. If you have been paying attention, you know that nightshade plants have bisexual and solitary flowers, with a double perianth, and their calyxes are five-toothed sepals. Each flower of nightshade plants has five stamens and one pistil, and the corolla consists of five fused petals.

The fruits of Solanaceae can be in the form of berries or capsules. For example, in such well-known representatives of the nightshade family as potato, tomato or nightshade, the fruit is a berry. But in its poisonous species, such as henbane or dope, the fruit is presented in the form of a box.

It should also be noted that almost all nightshade organs contain a toxic substance such as solanine.

Diversity and economic importance of nightshades

The most common plant from the nightshade family, which occupies one of the first places of great importance for the national economy, is the potato. South America is considered to be the birthplace of the potato, and it was brought to our country only in the second half of the eighteenth century. Since then, potatoes have been used in the food and technical industries. It is also used as animal feed.

Potatoes are valuable because they have high yields and their content of starch and other organic substances.

In addition to potatoes, vegetable crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and eggplants are also popular among nightshades.

Medicinal and ornamental nightshades

As you already know, among nightshade plants there are representatives that are poisonous. Among these representatives are plants such as henbane, dope and belladonna. And, although they are classified as poisonous, they at the same time have medicinal properties. Their toxic substances are widely used in the manufacture of painkillers.

In addition to these plants, tobacco, belladonna, scopolia and others from the nightshade family are used in medicine.

Also among plants from the nightshade family, tobacco deserves great attention. Varieties of this crop, such as ordinary tobacco, smoking tobacco or shag, are grown for the production of smoking tobacco and the production of cigarettes. And it will be no secret to anyone that tobacco contains such a toxic substance as nicotine. And everyone knows that smoking can harm human health. But in addition to the negative aspects, tobacco can also have benefits for humanity, since nicotinic acid, which is a vitamin, is made from it. Nicotinic acid is used to treat various mental disorders and skin diseases.

Among the nightshade plants there are also those that are grown for decorative purposes. Such ornamental plants include some types of tobacco and pepper, as well as petunias and physalis.

The family has about 90 genera and at least 2,500 species, widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, mainly in Central and South America.

Representatives of the family are herbs, shrubs or small trees with alternate (sometimes opposite in the inflorescence area), simple leaves. The flowers are usually in axillary terminal inflorescences, bisexual, actinomorphic or, rarely, slightly zygomorphic. The calyx is usually 5-lobed or 5-partite, remaining, often enlarged during fruiting. The corolla is wheel-shaped to tubular, 5-lobed, rarely bilipped. There are usually 5 stamens or fewer in zygomorphic flowers (4-2); the anthers open longitudinally or through apical pores. The nectar disc is usually developed. The gynoecium usually consists of 2 carpels, rarely of 5 carpels, usually with an apical simple style with a bilobed stigma; the ovary is usually bilocular (sometimes false-3 or 5-locular) or rarely 5-locular, usually with numerous ovules. The fruit is a berry or a septic capsule; the fruit rarely decays (Fig. 218). Seeds with endosperm.

Nightshade flowers are pollinated by various insects, and in tropical countries also by birds and sometimes even mammals.

The nightshade family is divided into 2 subfamilies - the nolanaceae (Nolanoideae) and the nightshade family (Solanoideae). The first is often considered as an independent family of Nolanaceae. The Nolanaceae subfamily is relatively more primitive than the Solanaceae. It includes 2 close genera - Nolana (Nolana, about 75 species, distributed from Peru to Patagonia and the Galapagos Islands) and Alona (Alona, ​​5-6 species in Chile). These are herbs or small shrubs with alternate, entire, more or less succulent leaves, growing mainly along sea coasts. Their gynoecium consists of 5 carpels.

All other genera of the Solanaceae family are included in the extensive subfamily Solanaceae. It, in turn, is divided into 5 tribes. The most primitive tribe is considered to be the Nicandreae tribe, consisting of one monotypic genus Nicandra, living in Peru and Bolivia. This is an annual herb with coarse ribbed, rigidly pubescent stems, serrated or lobed leaves, single flowers, a 3-5-locular ovary and a rather multi-seeded berry, enclosed in a calyx that expands greatly during fruiting. Nikandra physalis (N. physalodes) has spread widely as a weed in many regions of our country in melon fields, vineyards, vegetable gardens and along roads, penetrating the Caucasus, the oases of Central Asia and the Far East. Occasionally it is bred for medicinal purposes and as an ornamental plant. Nicandra has an interesting adaptation against self-pollination. In the ephemeral flowers of this plant, the stigma withers within an hour after pollination and the style falls off.

The largest tribe of the nightshade family is the nightshade tribe proper (Solaneae), which includes several dozen genera. Their ovary is 2-locular, rarely multi-locular (for example, in a tomato). The tribe, in turn, is divided into several subtribes, of which the most primitive is the wolf subtribe. This includes trees, shrubs or grasses. The most famous and largest genus of wolfberry (Lycium) contains about 100 species of deciduous or evergreen erect or climbing, usually thorny shrubs, distributed in tropical, subtropical and partly temperate regions, mainly in South America. In our country there are 7 species in deserts, semi-deserts and steppes in the southeast of the European part, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Some species are bred for hedges and as ornamentals.

The subtribe of Derezoaceae also includes such a well-known genus as belladonna, or Atropa, consisting of 4 species distributed from Europe and the Mediterranean to India. The most famous belladonna, or belladonna (A. bella-donna, table 56), is a perennial herbaceous plant with a tall stem, flowers mostly with a brown-violet or dirty purple (sometimes yellow) corolla and multi-seeded black (sometimes yellow) shiny berry. Belladonna is a valuable medicinal plant introduced into culture. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, etc.) and are poisonous. The attractive-looking belladonna berries are sometimes the cause of poisoning in children.

In the Solanaceae tribe, a separate subtribe also consists of the genera Scopolia (Scopolia) and Henbane (Hyoscyamus). Large perennial herbs with thickened rhizomes. Of the 6 species of scopolia, distributed from Central and Southern Europe to India, Tibet and Japan, only one species lives in our country growing wild - Carniolian scopolia (S. carniolica) in deciduous forests in the west of the European part and in the Caucasus. In all parts, but mainly in the rhizome and roots, it contains the alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Other species - light yellow scopolia (S. lurida), found in the Himalayas, and Tangut scopolia (S. tangutica), growing in Tibet, also contain the alkaloid atropine. All 3 species are cultivated as valuable medicinal plants.

There are about 20 species in the genus henbane (Hyoscyamus), native to the Canary Islands, Europe, North Africa (to the central part), Western and Central Asia. In the USSR there are 8 species, of which the most important is black henbane (N. niger), which is harvested as a medicinal raw material in the European part of the USSR. Introduced into culture. Henbane contains alkaloids hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine and some others. The seeds of this henbane are similar in shape and color to poppy seeds and, when mixed with it, cause poisoning. Henbane pollination is cross-pollinated. The size of its dirty yellow, funnel-shaped corollas, with purple spots indicating the way to nectar, exactly corresponds to the size of larger bumblebees. Cross pollination is ensured by the fact that the stigma is located above the anthers.

The Solanaceae subtribe occupies a central position in the family tribe of the same name. Here we must first of all mention the rather large genus Physalis, about 100 species of which are widespread in tropical, subtropical and partly temperate regions, mainly in tropical America. Physalis are characterized by a very large, bubble-like, swollen red or orange calyx when fruiting. In the common physalis (P. alkekengi), the calyx of the fruit is especially large and bright, so this plant is very popular as an ornamental. The fruits of some species, such as common physalis and Peruvian physalis (P. peruviana), are quite edible and have a unique and pleasant taste.

The Solanaceae tribe also includes such a well-known cultivated plant as vegetable pepper (Capsicum annuum). In the botanical literature, the number of species of the genus Capsicum ranges from 20 to 50. Unfortunately, the taxonomy of this genus is in such a chaotic state that the number of its species cannot be determined. Species of capsicum (commonly called "vegetable pepper" in the literature, although not all of its species are vegetable plants) grow wild in Central and South America and the Galapagos Islands, as well as the Florida Peninsula. These are small shrubs, subshrubs or perennial herbs (usually used in cultivation as annuals) with multi-seeded red, orange or yellow, sometimes whitish or brownish fruits of various shapes. In tropical countries, several species of capsicum are widely cultivated, of which the common vegetable pepper, or paprika (C. annuum), is grown as an annual plant in countries with temperate and subtropical climates; in our country - in Ukraine, Moldova, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Its original wild perennial variety is distributed throughout the Florida peninsula, West Indies, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. The pungency of the fruits of the genus Capsicum depends on the phenolic volatile substance capsaicin. The capsaicin content is especially high in the fruits of Capsicum fruticosa (C. frutescens), the exact place of origin of which remains unknown. The seasoning obtained from the fruits of this species is known as Tabasco sauce. Capsicum shrub is cultivated in Central America, Mexico and the southern regions of the USA. The fruits of species of the genus Capsicum were widely used in America by the Aztecs, who daily flavored their food with finely crushed dry fruits. After his first voyage, Columbus brought capsicum from the West Indies. In Russia, the first mention of vegetable pepper is contained in the manuscript “Blessed Flower, or Herbalist” (1616).

But, of course, the most important for humans is the largest genus of nightshade (Solanum) in the family, numbering about 1,700 species, i.e., more than half of the species composition of the entire family. It is widespread in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of both hemispheres, but mainly in South America. These are perennial, less often annual herbs, subshrubs with erect or climbing stems, and sometimes small trees. The fruit is a 2-locular multi-seeded berry. There are about 20 wild nightshade species in our country. Among them, bittersweet nightshade (S. dulcamara) is a climbing subshrub, mostly with purple flowers and bright red berries. It is found throughout almost the entire European part and in the south of Western Siberia. Another, even more common species in our country is black nightshade (S. nigrum) - an annual with white flowers and black (rarely green) berries, which grows as a weed in vegetable gardens and gardens and in weedy places. Both species contain the alkaloid solanine and are therefore poisonous and cause poisoning in humans and domestic animals. The nightshade genus includes a number of the most important cultivated plants for humans. The first place among them is occupied by potatoes (from the German word Kartoffel). In culture, there are mainly 2 closely related species known - the Andean potato (S. andigena), which has long been cultivated in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Northwestern Argentina, and our ordinary tuberous potato (S. tuberosum), also called Chilean. Its homeland is Central Chile and adjacent islands (including the island of Chiloe). This species is very widespread in countries with temperate climates. The local population of the mountainous regions of South America also grows several other species. All types of potatoes belong to the tuberarium section of the nightshade genus, which, together with wild tuberous species, numbers about 200 species, growing mainly in South and Central America. Cultivated potato species are propagated by tubers (in breeding work, also by seeds). The introduction of potatoes into culture (first through the exploitation of wild thickets) began approximately 14 thousand years ago by the Indians of South America. Potatoes were first imported into Europe (Spain) around 1565, from where they spread to other countries. Potatoes first came to Russia in the 17th century, but the beginning of widespread potato cultivation was laid by a Senate decree in 1765 and the import of a batch of seed potatoes from abroad, sent throughout the country.

The process of pollination in potatoes is interesting. Its five stamens, folded together into a cone, fit tightly to the column protruding above them, the capitate stigma of which is slightly inclined downwards. When shaken, the anthers release a small amount of pollen. When visiting a flower, insects first touch the downward inclined stigma, and if they already had pollen from another flower, they pollinate it. But since only relatively few insects visit potato flowers, self-pollination usually occurs. Self-pollination occurs due to the fact that the stigma straightens and becomes exactly on the line along which the pollen falls.

Another very important cultivated representative of the nightshade genus is the eggplant, or badrijan (S. melongena). It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a tall stem, large leaves, purple flowers and more or less round, pear-shaped or cylindrical fruits. The fruits are yellow, with brown stripes, white, green or purple. Eggplant fruits are fried, stewed, pickled, and used to make eggplant caviar, sauté, etc. Eggplant grows wild in India and Burma. Eggplant was first introduced into culture in India, from where its culture spread to other countries, in particular to China. As early as 500 BC, a small-fruited form of eggplant was cultivated in China.

Among the cultivated nightshades, naranjilla (Solanum quitoense), the “golden fruit of the Andes,” should also be mentioned. Experts believe that naranjilla has a great future, although currently few people know about this wonderful plant outside of Colombia and Ecuador. This is an exceptionally tasty dessert fruit, which is also used for making jelly, jam and other purposes. Freshly squeezed juice from these fruits is used in Ecuador and Colombia to make “sorbete” - a green, foaming drink with an attractive sweet and sour taste of pineapple and strawberries. In Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica, where the plant was introduced, the fresh juice is converted into a frozen concentrate. The plant is a shrub 1-2 m high, with pubescent leaves and round, yellow-orange fruits covered with easily removed white hairs. In favorable conditions, the plant bears fruit throughout the year.

Among the species of the extensive nightshade genus there are a number of other cultivated representatives.

The tomato, or tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cultivated in many varieties in all parts of the world, is very close to the nightshade genus and many botanists associate it with it. There are about 7 species in the tomato genus, living on the Pacific coast of South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile) and the Galapagos Islands. In the local Pahuatl language, this plant is called tomati, but when it was introduced in the 16th century. in Spain and Portugal they began to call it the “golden apple” (pomo d’oro - hence “tomato”).

The extensive nightshade tribe, but as a separate subtribe, includes the South American genus Cyphomandra and the Mediterranean-Asian genus Mandragora. There are about 6 species in the genus Mandrake, distributed from the Iberian Peninsula to the Eastern Himalayas and Tibet. Most species of mandrake are perennial herbs, almost always stemless, with very large leaves in a rosette, reaching a diameter of 1-2 m or more. The fleshy, starch-rich roots of mandrakes have a peculiar branching pattern: sometimes the root produces two vertical branches and somewhat resembles a human figure. Because of this feature, mandrake has been covered in legends since ancient times, attributing magical powers to it. In addition, it contains the alkaloid hyoscyamine and in the Middle Ages was considered one of the most valuable medicinal potions.

In Western Kopetdag, in the Turkmen SSR, a new species was discovered - the Turkmen mandrake (M. turcomanica). Here, the growing season of this plant begins in autumn, with the beginning of the rainy season, when it develops a rosette of large leaves. Flowering in the warm winters of the Western Kopetdag occurs in early November and continues until mid-April. Flowers are pollinated by various insects. Fruit ripening is observed from May to the end of June. With the onset of a hot, dry period, the plant seems to freeze and shed its dried leaves. The ripe fruits of the Turkmen mandrake are large (up to 5-6 cm in diameter), orange, aromatic and quite edible.

Unlike the stemless Mediterranean species of mandrake, the Himalayan-Tibetan stem mandrake (M. caulescens) has a developed stem and smaller leaves. At the same time, its closest related species, the Tibetan mandrake (M. tibetica), is a small, densely rosette plant. As one can assume, in this case, adaptive evolution followed the path of fixation of the juvenile phase of the vegetative sphere.

Next in the system of the Solanaceae subfamily comes the small tribe Datura (Datureae), characterized by the fact that as a result of the development of two false septa separating each of the two placentas of the initially two-locular ovary, the ovary becomes, as it were, four-locular. The fruit of Datura is a capsule or berry. The most famous representative of this tribe is the genus Datura, which numbers about 10 species of perennial or annual herbs, living in tropical and warm-temperate countries, mainly in tropical America. The flowers of Datura species are large, with a white funnel-shaped corolla from 6 to 20 cm or more in length. All of them are distinguished by large, long-tubular flowers with an intoxicating smell and are pollinated mainly by long-proboscis moths, which fly from everywhere to the smell of dope, neglecting other plants. In the process of evolution, the elongation of the corolla tube in many representatives of the genus paralleled the increase in the length of the proboscis of some hawkmoth butterflies (Sphingidae). As a result, species of Datura have emerged that can only be pollinated by certain species of hawk moths, becoming completely dependent on them. Datura fruits are original prickly capsules that open with four doors. These poisonous plants contain a number of alkaloids and are used in the pharmacopoeia, and were known to the ancient Peruvians as anesthetics. In some places, Datura species are cultivated as ornamental plants. In our country, the most widely known annual datura is the common or stinking dope (D. stramonium), which is found as a ruderal plant in wastelands, vegetable gardens, near hedges and buildings throughout almost the entire European part of the USSR. It is cultivated as a medicinal plant in the south of Ukraine and in the Krasnodar region. All parts of the plant contain poisonous alkaloids (hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine, etc.). In the southern regions of the USSR, harmless datura (D. innoxia) native to America and Indian datura (D. metel) native to Southwestern China are cultivated, the unripe fruits of which contain scopolamine.

The South American genus Brugmansia (Table 56) is very close to Datura and is often associated with it, consisting of 5 species of shrubs or small trees with very large leathery leaves up to 30 cm long. Huge bright tubular flowers hanging on long stalks open in the morning, and in the afternoon, in the heat, they slam shut again, which Drosophila species take full advantage of. The flies collect in the corolla immediately after it opens. Despite the fact that fruit flies are located in the flower near the anthers, they apparently do not take part in pollination. After several days, the corolla of a flower inhabited by flies falls off, and along with it, grown-up larvae of fruit flies fall to the ground, continuing to feed on the pollen remaining in the corolla. It is likely that fruit flies complete their life cycle together with the flower of the individual that sheltered them. G. Carson, who observed certain species of fruit flies settling in the flowers of Brugmansia white (B. candida), believes that these types of fruit flies can only exist in cohabitation with Brugmansia. Flowers are pollinated by larger insects that can penetrate the flower from bottom to top. The elongated, soft or somewhat woody, indehiscent fruits of Brugmansia contain large wedge-shaped seeds. “Tree-like dope” is widely known as an ornamental plant, which is a hybrid between snow-white Brugmansia and woody Brugmansia (B. arborea, table 56).

Among other representatives of the tribe, the extremely interesting genus Solandra should be noted, about 10 species of which are common in tropical America. Most solandras are long and thick-stemmed vines that live in tropical mountain forests and twine around large trees. Climbing up their trunks to a great height, the liana spreads simple, entire, leathery leaves at the top of the tree crown and exposes the sun to large, beautiful, slightly zygomorphic bell-shaped flowers on thick pedicels. The polyspermous berries of plants, freely covered by an overgrown bright calyx, are clearly visible from above on the surface of the crown of the host tree and therefore are readily eaten by birds, which carry their kidney-shaped small seeds over long distances.

Some individuals of Solandra in old age almost or completely lose contact with the soil, continuing to function as semi-epiphytes or as true epiphytes. The most beautifully flowering species of the genus are cultivated in tropical gardens and greenhouses as ornamental ones. Particularly popular is solandra grandiflora (S. grandiflora), which weaves a living carpet around fences and walls of houses.

It is interesting that pollination of some representatives of the Datura tribe is carried out not only by various insects, but also by bats. This has been traced to the genus Trianaea, 3 species of which are common in the mountain forests of the Northern Andes. These plants have rather large flowers located at the ends of long hanging branches. and secrete abundant nectar. The flowers open in the evening, emitting a strong, unpleasant odor that attracts bats.

The tribe of Cestreae was named after the most prominent genus Cestrum (Table 56), which unites about 150 species living in tropical and subtropical regions of America. These are shrubs or small trees with entire, mostly narrow, often pubescent leaves. Their flowers, collected in apical or axillary inflorescences with a small calyx and a long funnel-shaped or tubular corolla, open mainly at night, emitting a strong odor. Particularly distinguished by this is the nocturnal cestrum (C. nocturnum), called “night jasmine” in its homeland. This shrub, widely grown in tropical gardens, produces a huge number of small greenish-white to cream flowers, which at night emit a very pleasant and strong aroma, attracting nocturnal pollinating insects. L. Overland (1960), studying the mechanism of opening and closing of “night jasmine” flowers, came to the conclusion that the substances responsible for their strong night smell are localized in the parenchyma cells of the petal apex. The occurrence of smell is not the result of the onset of darkness, as one might assume, but a consequence of the internal rhythm of the plant, independent of external conditions. The opening and closing of young flowers during the day is synchronized with the cycle of the appearance and disappearance of the smell: flowers that are wide open (at night) smell, closed flowers (during the day) are not. As the flower ages, the cyclicity gradually breaks down; very old, already fertilized flowers do not smell and do not close. Some species of cestrum, such as C. campestre, are pollinated by hummingbirds. Cestrum fruits are oblong berries.

The genus tobacco, or Nicotiana, also belongs to this tribe, numbering 66 species, of which 45 live in extratropical parts of America, and 21 species are confined to Australia and Polynesia.

These are mainly annual herbs, occasionally perennial herbaceous plants, but shrubs are also found. Flowers with a large tubular funnel-shaped or bell-shaped corolla. Hummingbirds help pollinate tobacco in America. The fruit is an ovoid, 2-4-leaf capsule filled with numerous small reticulated punctate seeds. Plants with a strong unpleasant odor. Many species of the genus contain nicotine and other toxic alkaloids. In all countries where wild tobacco grows, cases of poisoning of their leaves and young shoots of domestic animals have been repeatedly observed.

In cultivation, the most famous are real tobacco (N. tabacum) and shag tobacco (N. rustica). Shag leaves are used not only for smoking, but they are also the main raw material for the production of citric acid, nicotine and nicotine medications - nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), nicotine sulfate, which is effectively used to control agricultural pests. Tobacco was grown in America long before its discovery by Europeans. Tobacco was brought to Europe at the end of the 15th and first half of the 16th centuries. and was first grown as an ornamental and medicinal plant.

Close to tobacco is the genus Petunia, represented by about 30 South American species; some of them are widely cultivated as ornamental ones. Our most famous plant is the hybrid petunia (P. hybrida).

The genus Markea, which belongs to the Cesteraceae, is extremely unique, 18 species of which live primarily in the forests of tropical America - from the Amazon River basin to Mexico. Some types of markea are vines with long graceful stems and simple, entire leaves, collected in bunches at the ends of the branches. Twisting around the support, the stems of the marquea creep higher and higher through the trees, forming terminal inflorescences with velvety short-tubular actinomorphic, often purple-green flowers in the upper part of the crown of the host tree. S. Vogel in 1958 observed that the flowers of some species of markea, such as markea dressleri (M. dressleri), are closed during the day and open only at night, attracting with their smell local forest rats, which are the main pollinators of these plants . Other species of the genus lead an epiphytic lifestyle, which is especially typical for curly marchea (M. ulei). This small shrub with inconspicuous, inconspicuous flowers is found in dense mature forests from Panama to Peru. Its individuals are able to settle both in the shady crown of a tree and at the top of the crown, under the open scorching sun. Thin aerial roots of epiphytic plants, covered with a loose shell, as well as water-permeable young stems and leaves intensively absorb moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and even minerals from the air, which enter the air along with the smallest particles of soil. Epiphytes develop intensively during the rainy seasons, accumulating water in their loose tissues, which they then use during the dry season. From time immemorial, these unique vessels of moisture and nutrients have been used by ants, arranging long-term shelters inside the stems of some types of markea. Symbiosis with ants is also beneficial for shrubs, since ants not only protect their living home from insect pests and other external enemies, but also bring nutrients for the plant to the substrate along with excrement.

The most advanced tribe of the family is the Salpiglossideae tribe. Plants belonging to it often have zygomorphic flowers with 2-4 fertile stamens and septicidal dehiscent capsule-type fruits with a lignified outer epidermis.

One of the notable genera of the tribe is Schizanthus, an endemic Chilean genus of about 10 species. It differs from other Solanaceae by its clearly defined two-lipped and extremely zygomorphic corolla. Of the 5 stamens, only 2 are fertile, 2 are transformed into staminodes, and the fifth is very reduced. The mechanism of flower pollination is interesting: two fertile stamens are located inside the lip formed by the two lower lobes of the corolla. When a bee or butterfly lands on this lip, the anthers explode vigorously, shooting pollen into the air. Some of the pollen grains usually land on an insect, which carries them to another flower. Some species of this genus have long been cultivated as ornamental plants. Particularly popular is pinnate schisanthus (S. pinnatus, Fig. 219), a perennial glandular pubescent plant with lacy leaves and numerous variegated flowers, called the “butterfly flower” or “poor man’s orchid.” A number of forms have been developed in culture, differing in the color of the petals.

Another noteworthy genus of salpiglossia is Brunfelsia, which consists of 40 species native to tropical America. These are ornamental trees or shrubs widespread in the tropical zone, flowering during the rainy season and therefore called “rain trees”. Brunfelsia leaves are entire-edged, leathery, often located at the ends of the branches, sometimes collected in bunches. The flowers are slightly zygomorphic, blue, purple or white, with 4 fertile stamens. With age, the flowers change color, like borage. The fruits of most species are juicy or leathery berries, surrounded by a slightly expanded calyx and containing large prismatic seeds with a fleshy endosperm. Some of the species are very decorative.

The genus Salpiglossis, which gave the tribe its name, lives in South America in 5 species. Salpiglossis notched (S. sinuata) is found as an ornamental plant in culture.

Life of plants: in 6 volumes. - M.: Enlightenment. Edited by A. L. Takhtadzhyan, editor-in-chief, corresponding member. USSR Academy of Sciences, prof. A.A. Fedorov. 1974 .

Few people know which family everyone’s favorite potato, eggplant, tomato or beautiful petunia belongs to. All of them are included in the list of nightshade plants that can be found throughout the world. This species is represented by vegetable crops, wild and domestic flowers, woody and herbaceous plants, vines, annuals and perennials. This list can be continued endlessly, but people have been familiar with many representatives for a long time.

Description of the family

It is quite difficult to list which plants belong to the nightshade family, because this family has more than 2,600 species. They are represented by vegetable, medicinal and ornamental crops, shrubs, trees, vines, and poisonous plants. Many of them play a big role in human life, because you can hardly find someone who is not familiar with potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, pepper, nightshade, etc.

The family consists of dicotyledonous spinal-petalled plants. They are represented by various herbs, erect and creeping bushes, and small trees that belong to the species Solanum, Dunalia or Acnistus. Despite such a variety of forms, these plants can easily be distinguished from others by several characteristic external features. Biological description of nightshades:

Flowers of representatives of this family have a pleasant aroma, but among them there are some that have a specific smell. This is due to the fact that some parts of poisonous species are covered with glandular cells. Examples of nightshade plants of this type are henbane and datura, which accumulate alkaloids in their tissues.