Lycianthes | |
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Lycianthes rantonnetii (Blue potato bush) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Solanaceae |
Subfamily: | Solanoideae |
Tribe: | Capsiceae |
Genus: | Lycianthes (Dunal) Hassl. |
Species | |
Over 150, see text | |
Synonyms | |
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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.
The genus Lycianthes is closely related to the genus Capsicum , the chili and bell peppers. However, it was long confused with the nightshades (genus Solanum), and several little-known Solanum species have now been reclassified to the genus Lycianthes.
The following species are recognised in the genus Lycianthes: [1]
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.
Rauvolfia is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as devil peppers, in the family Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. The genus can mainly be found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and various oceanic islands.
Gonzalagunia is a genus of plant in the family Rubiaceae.
Guettarda is a plant genus in the family Rubiaceae. Most of these plants are known by the common name velvetseed.
Neea is a genus of plants in family Nyctaginaceae from the Caribbean region, Central and South America. Members of the genus are commonly called Nia, Neea, or saltwood.
Tournefortia, often called soldierbushes, is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae.
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.
Coussarea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is found from southern Mexico to tropical America.
Odontadenia is a genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1841. It is native to southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies.