Diversity: Herbs, shrubs,
and some trees in about 85 genera and 2,800 species. Like the Apiaceae,
many taxa poisonous but also includes significant foods plants, such as
the potato (Solanum tuberosum - Andean), tomato (Lycopersicon
esculentum - Central America), and American Chili
peppers (Capsicum - several species - North and South
America). Toxicity, maily due to various alkaloids, is indicated
by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), deadly nightshade (Atropa
belladonna), and jimson weed (Datura
stramonium).
Distribution: Worldwide,
but with greatest diversity in the western hemisphere. We have 17 genera
and 67 species in the Texas flora, including endemic
species from two genera.
Floral structure:
Significant features: Classic
Asteridae in terms of general floral structure with actinomorphy and hypogyny
placing it in the genral area of the Solanales and the tendency toward
rotate corollas (esp. in the large [ca. 1,400 species] genus
Solanum). Also, anthers are often conspicuous and anther
dehiscence is frequently poricidal.
Fruit is either capsular or baccate with axile
placentation, usually in two locules.
