List of Solanum species

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Solanum dulcamara-01 (xndr)

Solanum is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, which includes two food crops of high economic importance, the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The genus is part of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, and contains more than 2,000 species distributed throughout the world. This list aims to highlight some of the notable species within the Solanum genus, emphasizing their diversity and significance.

Notable Solanum Species

• Solanum tuberosum – Commonly known as the potato, this species is a staple food in many parts of the world and has a significant cultural and historical impact.
• Solanum lycopersicum – Known as the tomato, it is a key ingredient in cuisines around the globe, valued for its flavor and nutritional content.
• Solanum melongena – The eggplant or aubergine, this species is widely used in cooking, especially in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines.
• Solanum dulcamara – Also known as bittersweet or woody nightshade, this species is notable for its medicinal properties as well as its toxicity.
• Solanum nigrum – Commonly referred to as black nightshade, it has both edible and toxic varieties, and its use varies widely across different cultures.
• Solanum americanum – Often called American nightshade, it is a species with edible fruits that are used in some traditional cuisines.
• Solanum pseudocapsicum – Known as the Jerusalem cherry, it is an ornamental plant with toxic berries, often used for decoration during the holiday season.
• Solanum betaceum – The tree tomato or tamarillo, this species is cultivated for its edible fruits, which are used in various culinary applications.
• Solanum muricatum – Known as pepino dulce or simply pepino, the sweet cucumber-like fruit of this species is eaten fresh or used in fruit salads.
• Solanum quitoense – Commonly referred to as naranjilla in South America, it is a fruit-bearing species known for its unique flavor, used in beverages and culinary dishes.
• Solanum aviculare – Known as kangaroo apple, it is native to Australia and New Zealand, and its fruit is used in traditional medicine and as a source of solasodine for steroid synthesis.

See Also

• Nightshade
• List of poisonous plants
• List of culinary fruits
• List of vegetable crops