[Asterids: Lamiids]
Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) flower and developing fruit; notice remains
of style on the tip of the fruit on the right, and the ring of sepals on both fruit. The ovary is superior in this family.
On-line sources
Solanaceae provide some of our important crops, including potato, eggplant, tomato, and the capsicum peppers (red/green/jalapeņo/ and boonie peppers), as well as tobacco. Although there are about 2000 species in some 90 genera, 1700 species are in the genus Solanum.
Characteristics of the family
Flowers of Solanaceae are distinctive because of the tight cluster of anthers around the style, with the knob-like stigma projecting beyond them. The petals lie flat or are even rolled back (as in the tomato shown below), giving emphasis to the stamens.
Tomato flowers
C. Lobban. 11/24/00