Difference between revisions of "Solanaceae" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | See [[Solanaceae#Classification|classification]] | ||
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| + | '''Solanaceae''' is a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the Solanales order, characterized by five-petaled [[flower]]s, typically conical or funnelform, and alternate [[leaf|leaves]], and including some of the more important [[food]] and [[drug]]-producing [[plant]]s, including [[potato]], [[tomato]], [[eggplant]], [[tobacco]], and [[deadly nightshade]]. This family is known as the potato or nightshade family, and the name nightshade sometimes is used as the common name in general for plants of this family, although often the name nightshade is reserved for members of the [[genus]] ''Solarum''. Solanaceae includes over 3,000 [[species]] of annual plants and perennial plants, [[vine]]s, [[herbaceous]] plants, sub-shrubs, [[shrub]]s, and some [[tree]]s. | ||
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| + | The Solanaceae family is characteristically [[ethnobotany|ethnobotanical]], that is, extensively utilized by humans. It is an important source of [[food]], [[spice]], and [[medicine]], and many plants are used as ornamentals, including the [[petunia]] and butterfly flower. In economic importance, Solanaceae is the third most important plant taxon and the most valuable in terms of vegetable crops (SGN). It also offers the most variability in terms of crop species, including tuber-bearing crops (potato), fruit-bearing vegetables (tomato, eggplant, peppers), leaf vegetables (''Solanum aethiopicum'', ''S. macrocarpon), and medicinal plants (eg. Capsicum) (SGN). Members of Solanaceae provide stimulants, poisons, narcotics, pain relievers, and so forth. | ||
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| + | However, Solanaceae species are often rich in [[alkaloid]]s that can range in their [[toxicity]] to humans and animals from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities. | ||
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| + | ==Overview and description== | ||
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| + | many of which are edible, while others are [[poison]]ous (some have both edible and toxic parts). The name of the family comes from the [[Latin]] ''[[Solanum]]'' "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the Latin [[verb]] ''solari'', meaning "to soothe". This would presumably refer to alleged soothing [[pharmacology|pharmacological]] properties of some of the [[psychoactive]] [[species]] found in the family. It is more likely, however, that the name comes from the perceived resemblance that some of the flowers bear to the sun and its rays, and in fact a species of Solanum (''[[Solanum nigrum]]'') is known as the ''sunberry''. | ||
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| + | The family is also informally known as the nightshade or [[potato]] family. The family includes the ''[[Datura]]'' or [[Jimson weed]], [[eggplant]], [[Mandrake (plant)|mandrake]], [[deadly nightshade]] or belladonna, [[capsicum]] ([[paprika]], [[chili pepper]]), [[potato]], [[tobacco]], [[tomato]], and [[petunia]]. | ||
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| + | Flowers are typically conical or funnelform with five petals, usually fused. The leaves are alternate, often with a hairy or clammy surface. Solanaceous plants produce a [[fruit]] that is either a [[berry]], as in the case of the [[tomato]] or [[wolfberry]], or a dehiscent (breaks open upon drying, or dehiscing, releasing the seeds) [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] as in the case of ''Datura''. The seeds are usually round and flat, being 2-4 millimeters in diameter. The [[stamens]] are usually present in multiples of four (most commonly four or eight). The ovaries are inferior. The hypogynus gynoecium is a [[syncarp]] located obliquely in relation to the median. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Alkaloids == | ||
| + | The Solanaceae are known for possessing a diverse range of [[alkaloids]]. As far as humans are concerned, these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both, though they presumably evolved because they reduce the tendency of animals to eat the plants. | ||
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| + | One of the most important groups of these compounds is called the [[tropane]] alkaloids. The term "tropane" comes from a [[genus]] in which they are found, ''[[Atropa]]'' (the [[belladonna]] genus). The belladonna genus is so named after the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] [[Moirae|Fate]], [[Atropos]], who cut the thread of life. This nomenclature betrays the toxicity and lethality that has long been known to be characteristic of these compounds. | ||
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| + | Tropane alkaloids are also found in the ''[[Datura]]'', ''[[Mandragora]]'', and ''[[Brugmansia]]'' genera, as well as many others in the Solanaceae family. Chemically, the molecules of these compounds have a characteristic bicyclic structure and include [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]], and [[hyoscyamine]]. Pharmacologically, they are the most powerful known [[anticholinergics]] in existence, meaning they inhibit the neurological signals transmitted by the endogenous [[neurotransmitter]], [[acetylcholine]]. [[Symptoms]] of overdose may include [[xerostomia|mouth dryness]], [[mydriasis|dilated pupils]], [[ataxia]], [[urinary retention]], [[hallucination]]s, [[seizure|convulsions]], [[coma]], and death. | ||
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| + | Despite the extreme toxicity of the tropanes, they are important drugs when administered in appropriate (and extremely small) dosages. They can reverse [[cholinergic]] poisoning, which can be caused by overexposure to [[pesticides]] and [[chemical warfare]] agents such as [[sarin]] and [[VX (nerve agent)|VX]]. More commonly, they can halt many types of [[allergic]] reactions. [[Scopolamine]], a commonly used [[ophthalmology|ophthamological]] agent, dilates the pupils and thus facilitates examination of the interior of the eye. They can also be used as [[antiemetics]] in people prone to [[motion sickness]] or receiving [[chemotherapy]]. Atropine has a [[stimulant]] effect on the [[central nervous system]] and heart, whereas scopolamine has a [[sedative]] effect. | ||
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| + | [[Cocaine]] is also considered a tropane alkaloid due to its structural similarity to the aforementioned compounds. Its pharmacology, however, is radically different, and it does not occur in the Solanaceae family. | ||
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| + | The most famous{{Fact|date=May 2008}} alkaloid from the Solanaceae family is [[nicotine]]. Like the tropanes, its pharmacology acts on cholinergic neurons, but with the opposite effect (it is an [[agonist]] as opposed to an [[Receptor antagonist|antagonist]]). It has a higher specificity for [[nicotinic]] acetylcholine receptors than other ACh proteins. Its effects are well known. [[Nicotine]] occurs naturally in the ''[[Nicotiana]]'' or [[Tobacco]] genus. | ||
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| + | [[Capsaicin]] is structurally unrelated to nicotine or the tropanes, and is found in the genus ''[[Capsicum]]'', which includes [[chili pepper]]s such as [[Tabasco pepper]]s and [[habanero]]s. The compound is not appreciably toxic to animals. However, it stimulates specific pain receptors in most mammals, those which sense heat, in the oral [[mucosa]] as well as many other [[epithelial]] tissues. This causes a sensation of burning not unlike an actual heat or chemical burn. It is used in high concentration as a deterrent in pepper sprays, and sought after for many culinary dishes for its "spiciness". | ||
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| + | It is thought{{Fact|date=May 2008}} that the reason one would deliberately induce pain while eating is the rewarding release of [[endorphins]] it causes. The "hotness" of capsaicin products and foods is expressed in [[Scoville]] units. A scoville unit is the factor by which the capsaicin-containing substance must be diluted to render the resulting solution imperceptible to a tester (for example, a teaspoon of a 5,000 Scoville unit [[hot sauce]] would have to be diluted with 4,999 teaspoons of a sugar water solution to negate its potential to cause a sensation on the palate). | ||
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| + | == Nutritional importance == | ||
| + | The most important species of this family for the global diet is the [[potato]] or ''[[Solanum tuberosum]]'', whose [[carbohydrate]]-rich [[tuber]]s have been a [[staple food]] in many times and places, and which is one of the most grown crops today. In many genera, the fruits are the desirable item, for example, [[tomato]]es, [[tomatillo]]s, [[eggplant]]s, [[uchuva]], and [[capsicum|peppers]]. | ||
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| + | While very popular, some people experience sensitivity or [[allergy]]-like symptoms in response to nightshade plants. | ||
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| + | ==Classification== | ||
''[[Acnistus]]'' | ''[[Acnistus]]'' | ||
<br>''[[Alona (plant)|Alona]]'' | <br>''[[Alona (plant)|Alona]]'' | ||
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<br>''[[Vestia]]'' | <br>''[[Vestia]]'' | ||
<br>''[[Withania]]'' | <br>''[[Withania]]'' | ||
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==External links==<!-- Systematics and Biodiversity 4 (2): 173–201 —> | ==External links==<!-- Systematics and Biodiversity 4 (2): 173–201 —> | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 25 May 2008
- "Nightshade" redirects here.
| Solanaceae | ||||||||||
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 A flowering Brugmansia x insignis
from the US Botanic Garden | ||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||
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See classification |
Solanaceae is a family of flowering plants in the Solanales order, characterized by five-petaled flowers, typically conical or funnelform, and alternate leaves, and including some of the more important food and drug-producing plants, including potato, tomato, eggplant, tobacco, and deadly nightshade. This family is known as the potato or nightshade family, and the name nightshade sometimes is used as the common name in general for plants of this family, although often the name nightshade is reserved for members of the genus Solarum. Solanaceae includes over 3,000 species of annual plants and perennial plants, vines, herbaceous plants, sub-shrubs, shrubs, and some trees.
The Solanaceae family is characteristically ethnobotanical, that is, extensively utilized by humans. It is an important source of food, spice, and medicine, and many plants are used as ornamentals, including the petunia and butterfly flower. In economic importance, Solanaceae is the third most important plant taxon and the most valuable in terms of vegetable crops (SGN). It also offers the most variability in terms of crop species, including tuber-bearing crops (potato), fruit-bearing vegetables (tomato, eggplant, peppers), leaf vegetables (Solanum aethiopicum, S. macrocarpon), and medicinal plants (eg. Capsicum) (SGN). Members of Solanaceae provide stimulants, poisons, narcotics, pain relievers, and so forth.
However, Solanaceae species are often rich in alkaloids that can range in their toxicity to humans and animals from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities.
Overview and description
many of which are edible, while others are poisonous (some have both edible and toxic parts). The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the Latin verb solari, meaning "to soothe". This would presumably refer to alleged soothing pharmacological properties of some of the psychoactive species found in the family. It is more likely, however, that the name comes from the perceived resemblance that some of the flowers bear to the sun and its rays, and in fact a species of Solanum (Solanum nigrum) is known as the sunberry.
The family is also informally known as the nightshade or potato family. The family includes the Datura or Jimson weed, eggplant, mandrake, deadly nightshade or belladonna, capsicum (paprika, chili pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, and petunia.
Flowers are typically conical or funnelform with five petals, usually fused. The leaves are alternate, often with a hairy or clammy surface. Solanaceous plants produce a fruit that is either a berry, as in the case of the tomato or wolfberry, or a dehiscent (breaks open upon drying, or dehiscing, releasing the seeds) capsule as in the case of Datura. The seeds are usually round and flat, being 2-4 millimeters in diameter. The stamens are usually present in multiples of four (most commonly four or eight). The ovaries are inferior. The hypogynus gynoecium is a syncarp located obliquely in relation to the median.
Alkaloids
The Solanaceae are known for possessing a diverse range of alkaloids. As far as humans are concerned, these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both, though they presumably evolved because they reduce the tendency of animals to eat the plants.
One of the most important groups of these compounds is called the tropane alkaloids. The term "tropane" comes from a genus in which they are found, Atropa (the belladonna genus). The belladonna genus is so named after the Greek Fate, Atropos, who cut the thread of life. This nomenclature betrays the toxicity and lethality that has long been known to be characteristic of these compounds.
Tropane alkaloids are also found in the Datura, Mandragora, and Brugmansia genera, as well as many others in the Solanaceae family. Chemically, the molecules of these compounds have a characteristic bicyclic structure and include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. Pharmacologically, they are the most powerful known anticholinergics in existence, meaning they inhibit the neurological signals transmitted by the endogenous neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Symptoms of overdose may include mouth dryness, dilated pupils, ataxia, urinary retention, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, and death.
Despite the extreme toxicity of the tropanes, they are important drugs when administered in appropriate (and extremely small) dosages. They can reverse cholinergic poisoning, which can be caused by overexposure to pesticides and chemical warfare agents such as sarin and VX. More commonly, they can halt many types of allergic reactions. Scopolamine, a commonly used ophthamological agent, dilates the pupils and thus facilitates examination of the interior of the eye. They can also be used as antiemetics in people prone to motion sickness or receiving chemotherapy. Atropine has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and heart, whereas scopolamine has a sedative effect.
Cocaine is also considered a tropane alkaloid due to its structural similarity to the aforementioned compounds. Its pharmacology, however, is radically different, and it does not occur in the Solanaceae family.
The most famous[citation needed] alkaloid from the Solanaceae family is nicotine. Like the tropanes, its pharmacology acts on cholinergic neurons, but with the opposite effect (it is an agonist as opposed to an antagonist). It has a higher specificity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors than other ACh proteins. Its effects are well known. Nicotine occurs naturally in the Nicotiana or Tobacco genus.
Capsaicin is structurally unrelated to nicotine or the tropanes, and is found in the genus Capsicum, which includes chili peppers such as Tabasco peppers and habaneros. The compound is not appreciably toxic to animals. However, it stimulates specific pain receptors in most mammals, those which sense heat, in the oral mucosa as well as many other epithelial tissues. This causes a sensation of burning not unlike an actual heat or chemical burn. It is used in high concentration as a deterrent in pepper sprays, and sought after for many culinary dishes for its "spiciness".
It is thought[citation needed] that the reason one would deliberately induce pain while eating is the rewarding release of endorphins it causes. The "hotness" of capsaicin products and foods is expressed in Scoville units. A scoville unit is the factor by which the capsaicin-containing substance must be diluted to render the resulting solution imperceptible to a tester (for example, a teaspoon of a 5,000 Scoville unit hot sauce would have to be diluted with 4,999 teaspoons of a sugar water solution to negate its potential to cause a sensation on the palate).
Nutritional importance
The most important species of this family for the global diet is the potato or Solanum tuberosum, whose carbohydrate-rich tubers have been a staple food in many times and places, and which is one of the most grown crops today. In many genera, the fruits are the desirable item, for example, tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplants, uchuva, and peppers.
While very popular, some people experience sensitivity or allergy-like symptoms in response to nightshade plants.
Classification
Acnistus
Alona
Anisodus
Anthocercis
Atropa (deadly nightshade)
Browallia
Brugmansia (angel's trumpet)
Brunfelsia
Calibrachoa
Capsicum (peppers)
Cestrum
Chamaesaracha
Combera
Crenidium
Cuatresia
Cyphanthera
Cyphomandra
Datura (jimsonweed)
Duboisia
Fabiana
Hyoscyamus (henbane)
Iochroma
Juanulloa
Lycianthes
Lycium (boxthorn)
Mandragora (mandrake)
Mellissia (St. Elena boxwood)
Methysticodendron
Nicandra
Nicotiana (tobacco)
Nierembergia or cupflower
Nolana
Petunia
Physalis (cape gooseberry, ground-cherry, tomatillo)
Przewalskia
Quincula
Salpichroa
Salpiglossis
Saracha
Schizanthus
Schwenckia
Scopolia
Sessea
Solandra
Solanum (tomato, potato, eggplant)
Streptosolen
Trianaea
Vestia
Withania
External links
- Solanaceae in Topwalks
- SOL Genomics Network
- Solanaceae Network - pictures of plants
- Solanaceae Source - A worldwide taxonomic monograph of all species in the genus Solanum.
- Solanaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. http://delta-intkey.com
- Solanaceae in USDA Plants Database.
- http://personal.denison.edu/~kuhlman/WOL/plants.html
See also
- List of plants poisonous to equines
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- D'Arcy, W. G. 1986. Solanacea. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231057806.
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 1999. Solanaceae ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 30411. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
- Sol Genomics Network (SGN). n.d. About the Solanaceae family. 'Sol Genomics Network. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
- Natural History Museum (NHM), London. 2008. About the family Solanaceae. Natural History Museum. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
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