Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances || European Bittersweet and OtherSolanum Species

✍ Scribed by Barceloux, Donald G.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Year: 2008
• Weight: 108 KB
• Category: Article
• ISBN: 047172761X
• DOI: 10.1002/9780470330319.ch133

✦ Synopsis

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The Solanaceae (potato) family contains annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, and trees that grow worldwide. The leaves are simple and alternate. The fl owers have fi ve widely spreading petals; the stamens are grouped conically in the center. The ovary of the fl ower matures into a fruit. In the United States, Solanum (nightshade) contains over 100 native and introduced species. This genus has a number of species that are toxic to grazing animals including Solanum carolinense L. (Carolina horsenettle), Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (silverleaf nightshade, tropillo), Solanum nigrum L. (black or common nightshade), and Solanum trifl orum Nutt. (cutleaf nightshade).