Golden key Points – Chapter 5 Morphology of Flowering Plants

Golden Key Points

Solanaceae:

• Commonly known as the ‘potato family’.
• Found in tropics, subtropics, and temperate zones.
• Includes herbs, shrubs, and sometimes small trees.

Vegetative Characters:

• Stem: Erect, cylindrical, may be solid or hollow.
• Leaves: Alternate, simple or rarely pinnately compound, with reticulate venation.

Floral Characters:

• Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary, or cymose.
• Flower: Bisexual, actinomorphic.
• Calyx: Five united, persistent sepals with valvate aestivation.
• Corolla: Five united petals with valvate aestivation.
• Androecium: Five epipetalous stamens.
• Gynoecium: Bicarpellary syncarpous ovary with superior position.

Fruits and Seeds:

• Fruits: Berries or capsules.
• Seeds: Numerous, endospermous.

Economic Importance:

• Food sources: Tomato, brinjal (eggplant), potato.
• Spice production: Chili peppers.
• Medicinal uses: Belladonna, ashwagandha.
• Fumigatory purposes: Tobacco.
• Ornamental plants: Petunias.