solanaceae plant solanum plant *Solanum* is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, which include two food crops of high economic importance, the potato and the tomato. It also contains the nightshades and horse nettles, as well as numerous plants cultivated for their ornamental flowers and fruit. *Solanum* species show a wide range of growing habits, such as annual and perennials, vines, subshrubs, shrubs, and small trees. Many formerly independent genera like *Lycopersicon* (the tomatoes) and *Cyphomandra* are now included in *Solanum* as subgenera or sections. Thus, the genus today contains roughly 1,500-2,000 species. Solanum L. PLANTS:SOLAN Solanum Solanum spp. requires discussion