This is a list of species in the plant genus Solanum . There may be as many as 1,500 species worldwide. [1] With some 1240 accepted specific and infra-specific taxa of the more than 4,000 described, the genus Solanum contains more species than any other genus in the family Solanaceae and it is one of the largest among the angiosperms.
Phylogenetic analysis of molecular data has established or confirmed that the genera Lycopersicon, Cyphomandra, Normania, and Triguera , which were previously classified independently, should in reality be included within the Solanum . In fact, all the species from these four genera have been formally transferred to Solanum. On the other hand, the genus Lycianthes , which is sometimes included within the Solanum, has been shown to be a separate genus. [2] [3] [4] [5]
The following alphabetical list of Solanum species provides the binomial name followed by the name of the species authority, abbreviated according to the appropriate conventions and uses.
The tuberous species within the genus (those related to Solanum tuberosum , the potato, and therefore often called wild potatoes) have been indicated with the letter T. The nothospecies belonging to the genus appear at the end of the list, that is those taxa that have originated from a hybrid between two different species (for example, Solanum × viirsooi , which has been shown to be an interspecific hybrid resulting from the cross between S. acaule and S. infundibuliforme.) [6]
Solanum is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, which include three food crops of high economic importance: the potato, the tomato and the eggplant. It is the largest genus in the nightshade family Solanaceae, comprising around 1,500 species. It also contains the so-called horse nettles, as well as numerous plants cultivated for their ornamental flowers and fruit.
Solanum pseudocapsicum is a nightshade species with mildly poisonous fruit. It is commonly known as the Jerusalem cherry, Madeira winter cherry, or, ambiguously, "winter cherry". These perennials can be grown decoratively as house plants, but in some areas of South Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand it is regarded as a weed.
Cyphomandra was a formerly accepted genus in the plant family Solanaceae. It used to contain about 35 species native to the Americas from Mexico southwards to Northern Argentina.
Solanum aculeastrum is commonly known as soda apple, sodaapple nightshade, goat apple, poison apple, or more ambiguously as "bitter-apple". It is a poisonous nightshade species from Africa and only distantly related to true apples. The term "soda apple" probably derives from "Sodom apple", modified due to the fruit's detergent properties.
Lycopersicon was a genus in the flowering plant family Solanaceae. It contained about 13 species in the tomato group of nightshades. First removed from the genus Solanum by Philip Miller in 1754, its removal leaves the latter genus paraphyletic, so modern botanists generally accept the names in Solanum. The name Lycopersicon is still used by gardeners, farmers, and seed companies. Collectively, the species in this group apart from the common cultivated plant are called wild tomatoes.
Solanum elaeagnifolium, the silverleaf nightshade or silver-leaved nightshade, is a species of plant in the nightshade family native to North and South America. It is common in parts of southwestern USA, and sometimes weed of western North America. Other common names include prairie berry, silverleaf nettle, white horsenettle or silver nightshade. In South Africa it is known as silver-leaf bitter-apple or satansbos. More ambiguous names include "bull-nettle", "horsenettle" and the Spanish "trompillo".
Lycianthes is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae), found in both the Old World and the New World, but predominantly in the latter. It contains over 150 species, mostly from tropical America, with 35-40 species in Asia and the Pacific.
Solanum sodiroi is a species of plant in the family Solanaceae. It is possibly endemic to Ecuador.
Solanum luteoalbum is a species of plant in the family Solanaceae.
Solanum paniculatum, commonly known as jurubeba, is a nightshade common in almost all of Brazil. It is used as a medicinal plant and has a bitter taste.
Solanum lanceolatum, with the common names orangeberry nightshade and lanceleaf nightshade, is a species of nightshade. It is native to regions of South America, including the Cerrado ecoregion of the Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome, primarily in Brazil.
Solanum caripense is a species of evergreen shrub native to South America and grown for its edible fruit.
Physaleae is a tribe of flowering plants in the subfamily Solanoideae of the family Solanaceae.
Jaltomata is a genus of plants in the family Solanaceae. According to molecular phylogenies, Jaltomata is the sister genus to Solanum, which includes tomato, potato, and eggplant. Jaltomata has a neotropical distribution, in that species occur from the United States southwest through Latin America, and into the Andean region of South America. Species encompass a wide range of vegetative and reproductive trait variation, including growth habit, floral size, shape and color, as well as fruit size and color. The fruits of some of the species are eaten by humans in Latin and South America. Depending on the species, fruits may be red, green, orange, or dark purple.
The Solanaceae, or the nightshades, are a family of flowering plants that ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and ornamentals. Many members of the family contain potent alkaloids, and some are highly toxic, but many—including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell, and chili peppers—are used as food. The family belongs to the order Solanales, in the asterid group and class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). The Solanaceae consists of about 98 genera and some 2,700 species, with a great diversity of habitats, morphology and ecology.
Juanulloa, the goldfingers, are a genus of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae, native to Central and South America.
Solanum cerasiferum is a species of plant in the nightshade family. It is native to tropical Africa.
Solanum palustre is a species of wild potato in the family Solanaceae. It is native to central and southern Chile, and Neuquén and Río Negro Provinces of Argentina. Although it does not bear tubers, it is still being extensively studied for its resistance to Potato virus Y, Potato leafroll virus, early blight, late blight, common scab, bacterial soft rot, and frost. Solaunum palustre is part of the Petota clade, which is a subclade of the Potato clade.
Solanum sturtianum, commonly known as Sturt’s nightshade or Thargomindah nightshade, is a flowering plant from the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. Distinct by its purple flowers and dark-black fruits, it is a shrub endemic to the arid zones of mainland Australia.