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.

Existing plants of the nightshade family have common characteristics. An unusual and attractive feature of this family is the combination of the most unusual species. Solanaceae are a class of dicotyledonous plants.

Henbane black

Henbane can mainly be found in the northern regions, and dope loves warmth, which is why it grows in the southern regions. The flowers of these two plants have common features. They have elongated tubes and are funnel-shaped. The fruit is a capsule.

Datura common

Datura and henbane can lead to human death. However, they are also used for treatment, if you take only tiny doses. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, henbane leaves are collected for drugs with anticonvulsant properties.
Henbane grows in the Canary Islands, Africa, Eurasia, and is a poisonous weed. Belongs to the genus of annual and biennial herbs. For medical purposes, an extract from the leaves is made as an analgesic and antispasmodic medicine.

Mandrake

Mandrake includes a genus of 5-6 species. These are usually stemless perennial large herbs with noticeable leaves. They are found in the Himalayas, Western and Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. But at the same time, the Mandrake has a developed stem, while the Tibetan Mandrake is small in size and does not stand out in any way.

Scopolia grows only in the temperate zone, in Eurasia. The plant is perennial. There are from four to six species. The medicinal and ornamental plant Carniolian scopolia grows in the North Caucasus.

Belladonna

Belladonna belongs to the genus Belladonna, reaches a height of 0.6-2 m and is a perennial herbaceous plant.
It grows in Southern and Central Europe, in the Crimea, the Caucasus, and in Asia Minor. Thanks to atropine, it is collected and used as an analgesic and antispasmodic medicine.

Vegetable pepper is a genus of perennial herbs, subshrubs and shrubs. There are approximately twenty species that are most commonly seen in South and Central America.
In addition to the above-mentioned nightshade vegetables, there are also less popular ones. These are tomatillas, ground cherries, garden blueberries, pepino, pimento. Pimento is also part of the family and resembles bell peppers, but is red in color and comes from the Capsicum annum pepper.
Original seasonings, such as cayenne pepper, are produced from Capsicum frutenscens. Paprika is obtained from the traditional red pepper. Hot peppers are also classified as nightshades.

False pepper nightshade is often found on the island of Madeira and Crimea. An erect evergreen shrub that grows tall. Its leaves are oval or lanceolate, without edges, slightly wavy. The fruits are round, berry-shaped, poisonous. The flowers are white.

Pepper nightshade can be found in Uruguay and southern Brazil. The fruits are bright scarlet, the flowers are white and small in size.

Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, paprika, bell peppers, hot peppers and cayenne peppers are classified as nightshade products. Certain groups of substances contained in these products, called alkaloids, can affect the functions of the neuromuscular and digestive systems in animals and humans. They can also compromise joint function. Nightshade products contain low amounts of alkaloids compared to nightshade herbs. Therefore, health problems from these vegetables can only occur in people who are especially sensitive to alkaloids. Although cooking reduces the alkaloid content of nightshade products by approximately 40-50%, we recommend that sensitive people avoid this food category entirely. Green spots on potatoes indicate a high content of alkaloids. Therefore, before cooking the potatoes, all these spots must be cleaned.

Description of nightshade products

Nightshades are a diverse group of foods, herbs, shrubs and trees that have intrigued scientists, physicians and nutritionists for centuries. "Nightshade" is a generic name used to describe more than 2,800 plant species, with very different properties and constituents. All plants, however, belong to a scientific order called Polemoniales and a family called Solanaceae. To give you an idea of ​​the diversity of this group of plants, note the fact that tobacco, morning glory, potatoes and tomatoes are classified as nightshade plants.

Pharmaceutical nightshades

Nightshades are actually better known as drugs than food. Nightshades such as mandrake are widely used in pharmaceuticals. (Mandragora officinum), tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum) and Belladonna ( Atropa belladonna).

Scientists were most interested in a group of compounds called alkaloids in a pharmacological sense. Alkaloids in nightshades not only provide grounds for classifying them as drugs, but also help to understand adverse reactions when consuming them as food.

Foods considered nightshades

Nightshade vegetables and fruits

The most famous food products of the nightshade family are potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum), tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum), many types of sweet and bitter peppers (all types Capsicum, including Capsicum annum) and eggplants ( Solanum melongena). There are hedgehog and little-known nightshade vegetables such as ground cherry (all types Physalis), tomatillas ( Physallis ixocapra), garden blueberries ( Solanum melanocerasum), tamarillo ( Cyphomandra betacea), pepino ( Solanum muricatum) and naranjilla ( Solanum quitoense). Pimento (also called Pimientos) belong to the nightshade family and usually comes from the pepper plant Capsicum annum. It is similar to bell pepper, only red. Therefore, Pimento cheese and olives stuffed with peppers are also considered products containing nightshade components.

Nightshade spices

Paprika seasoning comes from regular red pepper ( Capsicum annum), and the cayenne pepper seasoning comes from another nightshade vegetable called Capsicum frutenscens. Hot sauces that include hot peppers are also nightshade foods. Note that black pepper, which belongs to the pepper family, is not a nightshade product.

How nightshade products affect your health

Alkaloids - chemistry of nightshade products

Most medical research on nightshade products has focused on a special substance found in all nightshades. This substance is called alkaloids. From a chemical point of view, alkaloids are easy to identify because they all have at least one ring structure containing the nitrogen element. Plants produce alkaloids through regular biochemical activity, and these alkaloids are intended primarily to protect plants from insects.

There are four main types of alkaloids in nightshade plants. (1) steroid alkaloids, which contain a rather complex soluble ring structure and are found in most nightshade foods, including potatoes and tomatoes (see table for the values ​​of one of the most significant steroidal alkaloids, - solanine); (2) tropane alkaloids, which are derived from the simple amino acid ornithine and are found in some nightshades, but have been studied in more detail due to their strong narcotic properties; (3) pyrrolizidine alkaloids and (4) indole alkaloids, both groups are important as drugs.

Effects of steroid alkaloids on the nervous system

Potato steroidal alkaloids - primarily solanine and quinine - have been studied for their health effects in two areas. Firstly, they are able to block the activity of the enzyme cholinesterase in nerve cells. This property of nightshade vegetable alkaloids is called cholinesterase inhibition. When cholinesterase activity is strongly blocked, the nervous system's control of muscle movement is disrupted, resulting in muscle twitching, tremors, and can even paralyze breathing or lead to convulsions. Potato steroid alkaloids block cholinesterase activity, but this is not strong enough to cause neuromuscular problems such as twitching or tremors.

Effects of steroid alkaloids on joints

The next problem associated with potato alkaloids is joint damage caused by inflammation and changes in the mineral structure. So far, studies have not confirmed the involvement of alkaloids in the destruction of joint tissue. Some researchers believe that nightshade alkaloids contribute to excessive bone calcium loss and deposition in soft tissue. For this reason, these researchers recommend eliminating nightshade products from the diet of patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other problems such as gout.

Health effects of nicotine alkaloids

Just as there is no firm evidence of the effects of the steroidal alkaloids in nightshade products on the nervous system or joints, there is no evidence of the effects of other alkaloids in nightshade products on the entire body. But to the surprise of many people, the small amounts of narcotic substances in nightshade products have long attracted the attention of doctors and drug researchers.

Take, for example, the most famous monocyclic alkaloid, which is found in high concentrations in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum). This is nicotine. It is found not only in tobacco, but also in nightshade foods such as eggplant and tomatoes.

But there is one important difference: although alkaloids such as nicotine are found in nightshade foods, they are much less in total. Even in eggplants, which are in second place after tobacco in terms of nicotine content, the amount of nicotine is much less than in tobacco. And in green tomatoes, which also contain nicotine, their amount is even less. The nicotine level in all nightshade products is so low that many doctors simply ignore them as a factor of potential damage to our body. The Healthy Nutrition Organization has divided opinions on this matter. Although the amount of nicotine in nightshade foods is negligible, for people sensitive to alkaloids, these small doses may interfere with normal body function.

Increase in the amount of alkaloids in green and sprouted potatoes

It is important to note that green spots on potatoes, or sprouted potatoes, contain even more alkaloids, and therefore the consumption of green or sprouted potatoes should be avoided (Green color itself is chlorophyll, which is beneficial for our body, but unfortunately it is also accompanied by increased alkaloids that we do not see). Scientists conducted the following experiment. One hamster was fed sprouted green potatoes. The increased content of alkaloids did not affect the nerves and joints of the animal. But they noticed damage in the gastrointestinal system. This already gives a reason to refuse sprouted potatoes. The bitter taste of potatoes after cooking is a good indication that they contain excessive amounts of alkaloids.

Effect of cooking nightshade products on alkaloid content

Steaming, boiling and baking help reduce the alkaloid content of nightshade vegetables. During cooking, alkaloids are reduced by approximately 40-50%. For ordinary people, cooking nightshade foods is enough to minimize the risk of consuming alkaloids. However, for sensitive people, even the remaining concentration of alkaloids can cause problems.

First, if you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, eliminate all nightshade products from your diet for 2-3 weeks. This can be a helpful step to determine the negative impact of these foods on your condition. Persons with problems of the nervous system and neuromuscular problems can adhere to the same recommendation.

Second, even if you do not have health problems potentially associated with consumption of nightshade products, it is worth taking precautions to avoid excessive consumption of alkaloids through these products. Processing potatoes is especially important in this regard, and the following recommendations will help you avoid excessive consumption of potato alkaloid:

• Keep potatoes only in a dark cupboard, preferably in a cool, dry part of the house or basement (if your basement is dry). Do not keep potatoes in a bright place; exposure to light increases the formation of alkaloids.
• Wash all the potatoes before cooking so that you get any green spots, if any.
• Carefully cut out any green spots, especially the green areas on the skin, before cooking. After cooking, if you feel a bitter taste, do not eat these potatoes.
• Don't buy potatoes that are coated with wax. Wax does not help reduce greening; on the contrary, it can speed up the rotting process by reducing gas exchange.
• If you are sensitive to nightshade foods, the first thing to do is avoid potatoes, as these are the foods we eat most often.

World's Healthiest Foods website; translation by Aliyev Jafar

Tomato, pepper, eggplant, potato - these plants have long been known for their economic importance. All of them belong to the Solanaceae family. Flower formula, fruit type, life form - these are the signs by which the presented plants can be combined. Our article is devoted to the characteristics and diversity of representatives of this systematic unit.

Signs of the Solanaceae family

All representatives of this group, growing in a temperate climate zone, are exclusively herbaceous plants. But in Central and South America there are vines, shrubs, and trees. Characteristics of the Solanaceae family also include simple leaves with a blade shape, they can be whole, incised, or jagged.

Parts of some plants are covered with glandular cells. Their secretions have a specific smell. Datura and henbane accumulate toxic substances called alkaloids in their tissues.

Solanaceae family: flower formula

Did you know that biology also has formulas? For example, Ch(5) L(5) T5 P1. And it is also a systematic feature of the Solanaceae family. The flower formula is very easy to decipher.

The first two letters and numbers characterize the structure of the perianth. H(5) is the number of sepals, and L(5) is the number of petals. The latter grow together, so they visually resemble a tube. T5 - number of stamens. In members of the family, they all grow together with the corolla. And, it’s easy to guess, P1 is the only pestle.

Such flowers can be single or collected in inflorescences, like those of potatoes. Most often they are pollinated by insects. Their attention is attracted by the aroma and bright aureole. In the tropics, birds and mammals also take part in the pollination process.

Solanaceae produce two types of fruit: berry and capsule. The first has a dense protective skin, fleshy middle and inner layers, and contains many seeds. Berries are formed in the process of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplants. A capsule is a dry multi-seeded fruit. It can open up in different ways. For example, Datura has numerous longitudinal slits, and henbane has a lid.

Diversity

In addition to well-known vegetable crops such as peppers and potatoes, the Solanaceae family also includes ornamental species. These are physalis, petunia, fragrant tobacco. They are valued for their brightly colored corollas and pleasant aroma.

Medicinal plants include black nightshade, bittersweet, and pepper. They are used in the treatment of rheumatism, lichen, psoriasis, and as an expectorant. Belladonna is also famous for its healing properties. The leaves of this plant have long been used to make drugs that reduce muscle tone.

Henbane, which is considered a poisonous plant, is widely used in medicine as an analgesic and expectorant. The herb also has a relaxing effect on the nervous system.

The mandrake also has a typical structure of the Solanaceae family. During the Middle Ages, it was credited with witchcraft properties, which is why it was called a witch’s or witch’s flower. The root of this plant visually resembles a human figure. The shoot has no stem. It consists of leaves and large single flowers with a bright corolla.

This unusual structure determined the use of mandrake for magical purposes as a love spell, getting rid of infertility and many ailments. It is known that in Ancient Greece the flowers of this plant were worn around the neck as a decoration and an amulet of love.

In fact, mandrake is very poisonous. It can both excite and inhibit the activity of the nervous system, cause insomnia and even hallucinations.

Economic importance of plants

But the most important thing is still the vegetable Solanaceae. Can you imagine your diet without potatoes? Surely not. But for a long time this plant was considered poisonous. And all because people used its fruits, which are truly inedible, for food. Only potato inflorescences were used to decorate clothes, hats and hairstyles. Today, people eat underground modifications of the shoot - tubers.

So, in our article we looked at the following features of the Solanaceae family:

• flower formula Ch(5) L(5) T5 P1;
• the corolla is formed by fused petals;
• life forms - herbs, less often - shrubs, vines and trees;
• leaves are simple;
• fruit - berry or capsule.

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 plants. 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 .