The Solanaceae is a family of flowering plants, many of which are edible, while others are considered poisonous. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the Latin verb solari, meaning "soothing". This would presumably refer to alleged soothing pharmacological properties of some of the psychoactive species found in the family. It is more likely, however, that the name comes from the perceived resemblance that some of the flowers bear to the sun and its rays, and in fact a species of Solanum (Solanum nigrum) is known as the sunberry. The family is also informally known as the nightshade or potato family. The family includes the Datura or Jimson weed, eggplant, mandrake, deadly nightshade or belladonna, capsicum (paprika, chile pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, and petunia. The Solanaceae family is characteristically ethnobotanical, that is, extensively utilized by humans. It is an important source of food, spice, and medicine. However, Solanaceae species are often rich in alkaloidal glucosides that can range in their toxicity to humans and animals from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities.

Flowers are typically conical or funnelform with five petals, usually fused. The leaves are alternate, often with a hairy or clammy surface. Solanaceous plants produce a fruit that is either a berry, as in the case of the tomato, or a dehiscent (breaks open upon drying, or dehiscing, releasing the seeds) capsule as in the case of Datura and chile peppers. The seeds are usually round and flat, being 2-4 millimeters in diameter. The stamens are usually present in multiples of four (most commonly four or eight). The ovaries are inferior. The hypogynus gynoecium is a syncarp located obliquely in relation to the median.

Alkaloids

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The Solanaceae are known for possessing a diverse range of alkaloidal glucosides, or simply alkaloids. These nitrogenous chemicals are thought to have evolved for the purpose of discouraging animals from herbivory. As far as humans are concerned, these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both.

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im a little worried will my 18 inch nightshades take 3500 rms each? there will be 2 saz4500s strapped at 1 ohm on 16v on 4 nightshade 1...
sofiamccain (Sofia Mccain) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:02:27 -0000
im a little worried will my 18 inch nightshades take 3500 rms each? there will be 2 saz4500s strapped at 1 ohm on 16v on 4 nightshade 1...
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sammy2066 (sammy2066) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:20:20 -0000
Also, lets not forget Bittersweet Nightshade or many of those Dakota tracks ...
@rachelwarlotus I have to be very careful as i'm allergic to nightshades ...need to make sure a carob isn't a nightshade
Jason31480 (Jason Leitman) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:44:11 -0000
@rachelwarlotus I have to be very careful as i'm allergic to nightshades ...need to make sure a carob isn't a nightshade
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