Good afternoon, my reader. Plants of the Solanaceae family are distributed throughout the continents of the globe. They are usually pollinated by insects, but in the tropics, animals and birds also participate in this important process. This family is quite numerous and includes more than 2600 species. Therefore, nightshade crops occupy an important place in human life. They have food, medicinal and decorative purposes.
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Vegetable crops
In Europe, vegetables of the nightshade family appeared in the 16th century. From then until now, agronomists and breeders have done a tremendous job. Now the most common vegetables are:
- Potatoes. Has food and technical value. This culture is one of the most important in human life. Potatoes contain a lot of starch. In some varieties, this value reaches 25%. In addition to eating, alcohol is made from potatoes.
- Eggplant. The fruit is used for food. It contains many vitamins, minerals and pectins. Eggplant is especially prized for its high amount of potassium.
- Tomatoes. Grown throughout the year in greenhouses and greenhouses. They are considered valuable food products. Experts recommend eating tomatoes daily in an amount of about 100 g.
- Pepper. There are many types of this culture. Both sweet and savory varieties are used for food. Pepper contains many minerals, vitamins C and P.
- Physalis. Not a very popular vegetable, but its biological characteristics are close to that of a tomato. The fruits are canned, pickled and even made into jams.
- Melon pear. Her fruits are sweet. They contain a large amount of iron, carotene and B vitamins. The fruits are eaten fresh, as well as canned and make jam from them.
Medicinal plants
Most of these plants are poisonous. They have a therapeutic effect only in the correct dosages, so you need to take them very carefully. The most common medicinal nightshade plants are:
- Bittersweet nightshade. The better known name is "wolfberry".
- Belladonna.
- Black henbane. Seed oil and plant leaves are valued most of all.
- Datura ordinary.
- Tobacco.
Decorative views
Decorative species of nightshade are very often used by gardeners to decorate the site and the facade of the house. The brightest representatives:
- Petunia is hybrid. Usually used for landscaping areas. Attention is attracted by abundant colorful flowering and unpretentious care. Has one-color or bicolor flowers with spots or border around the edges. Flowering continues until the arrival of the first cold weather.
- Ampel calibrachoa. Forms cascades of multi-colored flowers. They resemble bells in shape. Landscape designers make whole compositions of this plant when decorating the facades of houses, balconies, and terraces.
- Fragrant tobacco. It has white flowers that open in bad weather and after sunset.
- Bittersweet nightshade. This is a very moisture-loving plant, so it is often used for landscaping near water bodies.
The nightshade family is very extensive and varied. Without the usual eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, it is difficult for a person to imagine their diet.
Medicinal species are used in the manufacture of various drugs. Decorative ones are designed to delight us with their abundant flowering.
Do you plant plants of the Solanaceae family on the site?
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