Floral Formula of Solanaceae

Solanaceae, commonly known as the nightshade or potato family, is a diverse and economically significant family of flowering plants. With a global distribution, The Solanaceae family comprises approximately 98 genera and boasts a remarkable 2,700 species, showcasing extensive diversity in habitats, morphology, and ecology such as many cultivated and wild species, some of which are vital for medicinal purposes, ornamental and vegetable uses. 

1.0 Floral Formula of Family Solanaceae

The flowers are actinomorphic, displaying bilateral symmetry. The perianth comprises fused sepals and petals, denoted by brackets. The androecium typically consists of five stamens fused with the corolla. The gynoecium has a superior ovary with two carpels.

2.0Symbols Floral Formula of Solanaceae

3.0Floral Diagram of Solanaceae

4.0Systematic Position of Solanaceae  

5.0General Characteristics of Family Solanaceae 

• Habit: Herbs (erect or climbing), shrubs or small trees.
• Root: Branched tap root, sometimes adventitious.
• Leaves: Simple, entire, exstipulate, alternate or opposite at or near the inflorescence, rarely in
• Whorl and having reticulate venation. 
• Inflorescence: Cymose, typical axillary cyme or cymes in combination.
• Flowers: The flowers are complete, pedicellate, and typically actinomorphic, although some species may exhibit zygomorphic characteristics. They are regular, hypogynous, and lack bracts or bracteoles. 
• Calyx: Sepals 5 in number are gamosepalous (limb usually with 5 lobes) and have valvate aestivation. Some species have persistent calyx eg - tomato, brinjal. 
• Corolla: Petals are 5 in number and are gamopetalous which show valvate aestivation. 
• Androecium: Stamens 5, and polyandrous (free) epipetalous, dithecous. Anthers are introse. 
• Gynoecium: Bicarpellary, syncarpous bilocular superior ovary, but sometimes ovary becomes tetralocular by false septation. Each locule may contain 1 to many ovules. Placentation is axile.  The ovary is placed obliquely. Obliquely swollen placenta is the characteristic feature of solanaceae. 
• Fruit and seed: Septicidal capsule (datura) or a berry (tomato)  and seeds are Endospermic.  
• Pollination: Primarily entomophilous, indicating pollination by insects. Flowers are adapted to attract and facilitate pollination by insects

6.0Examples of Solanaceae Family 

• Solanum tuberosum: Potato tubers are a rich source of starch and used as vegetables. 
• Solanum melongena: Bringal, seeds used as stimulants, and fruits used as vegetables. 
• Solanum nigrum: Makoi, plant possesses medicinal properties. Fruits are used in eye disease, diarrhoea and fevers. Plant juice is used in dysentery and piles. Fruits are edible. 
• Nicotiana tabacum: Tambaku, Leaves are used as insecticides and fumicatory purposes for making cigarettes. 
• Datura stramonium: Dhatura, a weed plant used in treatment of asthma. The seeds and leaves are narcotic. 
• Atropa belladonna: Sag-angur, a medicinal plant used to derive atropine. 
• Lycopersicum esculentum: Tomato, a herbaceous plant cultivated for its fruits which are used in vegetables and as a salad. 
• Withania somnifera: Ashwagandha, an undershrub, used for cough and rheumatism.

7.0Economic Importance of the Family Solanaceae

• Edible: The family encompasses a variety of food plants, contributing significantly to human nutrition. Notable members include the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), eggplant or brinjal (S. melongena), and ground cherry (Physalis peruviana). Peppers (Capsicum annuum) serve dual purposes as both a food source in their young stage and as spices when ripe.
• Medicinal: Several poisonous species within the family play crucial roles in pharmacology. Plants such as Atropa belladonna (producing atropine), Hyoscyamus niger (used in hypnotic drugs), Datura stramonium (source of stramonium), and Mandragora officinarum (yielding mandrake) are vital in medicinal applications. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica), containing the toxic alkaloid nicotine, is cultivated for various purposes, including chewing, smoking, and snuff. 
• Ornamental: Some genera within the family contribute to gardens and landscapes, including Brunfelsia (known as 'lady-of-the-night' or 'yesterday-today-and-tomorrow'), Cestrum ('Rat ki Rani' or night-blooming jasmine), Petunia, Physalis (ground cherry), and Solanum (nightshade).