Diversity of Solanaceae
Although very important commercially, the family is only a medium-sized one with 102 genera and 2.728 species. The genera and species recognised are extremely diverse in terms of habit, morphology, and ecology, ranging from trees or shrubs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, and annual herbs, and show astonishing variation in many flower and fruit characteristics.
| Genus | Number of species |
|---|---|
| Solanaceae | 2.728 |
| Solanum | 2.730 |
| Cestrum | 2.730 |
| Lycianthes | 2.730 |
| Nicotiana | 2.730 |
| Lycium | 2.730 |
| Nolana | 2.730 |
| Physalis | 2.730 |
| Jaltomata | 2.730 |
Geographical diversity
Solanaceae is most diverse in the Americas in terms of both the number of species and genera. The interactive map of Solanaceae genera by Haley Gladitsch helps to visualise this geographical diversity gradient. The image below shows the generic diversity of Solanaceae by botanical country as a static view.
