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SOLANACEAE

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY

Michael Nee

Annual to shrub
Leaves generally simple, generally alternate, generally petioled; stipules 0; blade entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence various
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla ± radial, cylindric to rotate, lobes generally 5; stamens 5, alternate corolla lobes; ovary superior, generally 2-chambered, style 1
Fruit: berry or capsule, 2–5-chambered
Genera in family: 75 genera, 3000 species: worldwide, especially ± tropical; many alien weeds in CA; many cultivated for food, drugs, or ornamental (potato, tomato, peppers, tobacco, petunia); many TOXIC.

SOLANUM

NIGHTSHADE

Annual to shrub or vine, often glandular, sometimes prickly
Leaves alternate to subopposite, often unequal, entire to deeply pinnately lobed
Inflorescence: panicle or umbel-like, often 1-sided
Flower: calyx ± bell-shaped; corolla ± rotate, white to purple; anthers free, > filaments, oblong or tapered, opening by 2 pores or short slits near tip; ovary 2-chambered, style 1, stigma head-like
Fruit: berry, generally spheric (or dry, capsule-like)
Seeds many, compressed, generally reniform
Species in genus: ± 1500 species: worldwide, especially tropical Am
Etymology: (Latin: quieting, from narcotic properties)
Reference: [Symon 1981 J Adelaide Bot Gard 4:1–367]
Many cultivated for food (including potato, S. tuberosum ), ornamental; many TOXIC.

Native

S. americanum Mill.

Annual to subshrub 3–8 dm, ± glabrous or hairs short, curved or ± appressed
Leaf 2–15 cm, ovate, entire to coarsely wavy-toothed
Inflorescence umbel- or ± raceme-like
Flower: calyx 1–2 mm, lobes in fruit recurved; corolla 3–6 mm wide, deeply lobed, white; anthers 1.4–2.2 mm; style 2.5–4 mm
Fruit 5–8 mm diam, greenish or black
Seed 1–1.5 mm
Chromosomes: n=12
Ecology: Open, often disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province, Mojave Desert (uncommon)
Distribution outside California: to Canada, e US, Mexico
Flowering time: Apr–Nov
Synonyms: S. nodiflorum Jacq
Much like S. nigrum ; may be early introduction from South America.

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