Solanales

An order of flowering plants, division Magnoliophyta, in the euasterid I group of the asterid eudicotyledons. The order consists of two large and three small families, of approximately 4275 species. Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae account for all but 25 of the species. Solanales are generally characterized by sympetalous flowers with a superior ovary, and alternate leaves. See also Asteridae; Flower; Fruit; Leaf; Magnoliophyta; Magnoliopsida.

Solanaceae, approximately 2600 species, are cosmopolitan herbs, shrubs, lianas, and trees, with branched hairs and often spines and alkaloids. The family is of great economic significance, yielding potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant (Solanum), peppers (Capsicum), tobacco (Nicotiana) and many ornamentals. Deadly nightshade (Atropa), jimson weed (Datura), and henbane (Hyoscyamus) are well-known poisonous members of the family. See also Belladonna; Eggplant; Pepper; Potato, Irish; Solanales; Tobacco.

Convolvulaceae, approximately 1650 species, include herbaceous and woody members that are often climbers. The main economic crop is sweet potato (Ipomoea), but the family also includes ornamentals (morning glory, Ipomoea; and Convolvulus), noxious weeds (Calystegia and Convolvulus), and parasites (Cuscuta). See also Potato, sweet; Weeds.

Solanales
Aubergine, Solanum melongena
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Solanales Dumortier, 1829
Families
at least the following: Solanaceae Convolvulaceae and others, varying between classification systems; for details see text

The Solanales are an order of flowering plants, included in the asterid group of dicotyledons. Some older sources used the name Polemoniales for this order.

The following families are included here in newer systems such as that of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG):

• Family Solanaceae (nightshade family; includes Nolanaceae)
• Family Convolvulaceae (morning glory family)
• Family Montiniaceae
• Family Sphenocleaceae
• Family Hydroleaceae

The APG II classification treats the Solanales in the group Euasterids I.

Well-known members of Solanales include potatoes and sweet potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, tobacco, and petunias.

Under the older Cronquist system, the latter three families were placed elsewhere, and a number of others were included:

• Family Duckeodendraceae (now treated as a synonym of Solanaceae)
• Family Nolanaceae (now treated as a synonym of Solanaceae)
• Family Cuscutaceae (now treated as a synonym of Convolvulaceae)
• Family Retziaceae (now treated as a synonym of Stilbaceae, order Lamiales)
• Family Menyanthaceae (now placed in order Asterales)
• Family Polemoniaceae (now placed in order Ericales)
• Family Hydrophyllaceae (now treated as a synonym of Boraginaceae)

Wikispecies has information related to:

Solanales

References

• TSN 500033. Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• Systema Naturae 2000

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