69. Solanaceae

This is a major family: tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, nightshade, tobacco - need I say more? Who can imagine a world without tomatoes and potatoes? Although there are nearly a hundred genera in this family, one in particular - Solanum - towers above the others for economic importance, as it includes tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), and eggplants (Solanum melongena). 

Also important is the Capsicum genus, which encompasses the peppers - bell, chili, jalapeno and so forth - and the Physalis genus, which includes edible tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica) and ornamental Chinese lanterns (Physalis alkekengi). Another famous ornamental genus is Petunia.

Additionally this family, which is frequently called the nightshade family, is known for various toxic and mind altering plants, such as deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), and Jimson weed (Datura stramonium).

And speaking of toxic, one cannot overlook the impact the Nicotiana genus has had on the human race. Named after the French diplomat Jean Nicot, who introduced recreational tobacco from Portugal to the rest of Europe, Nicotiana tabacum is native to tropical America. Its area of cultivation is, of course, much greater, and its use rivals coffee and tea for global reach. As fascinating as all that is, I am happy to interject that tobacco products are pure evil and I wouldn't mind if they went away forever.

Paradoxically, the flowers are beautiful and are increasing planted in gardens for their ornamental value. Perhaps this is the true destiny of Nicotiana. A few years back I stumbled upon a fantastic display of ornamental tobacco at Old Westbury Gardens that showcased their many colors - seen here in the photos above.

A roadside weed called tree tobacco, Nicotiana Glauca, caught my eye while driving the rural back roads of California. I was intrigued to learn that this weed crept all the the way up from South America. Probably the first tobacco plant I got a close look at was Indian tobacco, Nicotiana quadrivalvis, a native of the American West. I was struck not only by its classic tobacco form but also the stickiness of its leaves.

My most recent and intriguing encounter with a Solanaceae plant was this Solandra maxima seen trellised on the side of California's First Theater in Monterey. Native to Mexico and Central America, these delightful flowers belong to a plant that - not surprisingly - goes by the common names Cup of Gold Vine and Golden Chalice Vine.