Solanum lycopersicum, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Lycopersicon esculentum

The leaves, stems, and green unripe fruit of the Tomato plant, as a member of the plant genus Solanum, contain the poison solanine, which is toxic to humans and animals.

Solanum macranthum, Solanum wrightii

This plant grows quickly into a bushy tree of 15 feet in height and 15' wide. Grown for its ornamental purpose. The leaves are large, lobed and prickly. Flowers are fragrant and change their color from white to pink to lavender. It requires a rich soil for good growth. Suited for planting singly. Propagated by seeds.

Solanum mammosum

Very unusual bright yellow fruit looks like small pear-shaped tomatoes, with nipple-like protrusions. Violet colored flowers. It shows thorns on its stem. This is an erect tropical shrub growing up to 4" tall. The deeply lobed leaves have long spikes on its surface. The fruit is a round yellow berry with numerous brownish-red seeds in it. Fruiting branches can be used in tropical cut flower arrangements.

Solanum mauritianum

Its large oval leaves are grey-green in color and covered with felt-like hairs. The flower is purple with a yellow center.

Solanum melongena

This oriental variety has bright red fruit that are very sweet and tasty, can be eated raw or cooked in asian recepies. Flowers are white, unlike regular eggplant with purple flowers. Eggplant got its name because the first varieties to be cultivated in North America were shaped like hen's eggs. They came in several colors and were grown as ornamentals, not for food. The plant that yields this eggplant vegetable is a frost-tender herbaceous perennial, but it is sometimes grown as an annual in cooler climates. Fruits of other varieties may be black, purple, green, white, striped, red or orange. Eggplants need adequate water during the development of the fruit. Easy to grow, requires little care. In warm climate or in a hreenhouse will yield fruit for a few years.

Solanum muricatum

A small bush or shrub much like the tomato. It has an evergreen foliage. In colder climates, it can be grown in containers.

Commonly eaten fresh, the pepino's flesh is so soft and juicy it makes a quick and easy treat.

Solanum pimpinellifolium, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium

Currant tomatoes (Solanum pimpinellifolium) are closely related to our standard garden tomato Solanum lycopersicum.

Solanum pyracanthum

An eye-opening specimen plant! It grows 3'-5' tall with pretty, actually, blue-green leaves that have prominent orange spines down the mid ribs. The stems are covered with orange fuzz. Lavender flowers are borne in a cluster.

Solanum quitoense, Solanum angulatum

This is an interesting plant with its red-veined leaves and murderous looking spines on both leaves and stems. The large thorns grow out from stems, branches, and leaves. The spines are quite harmless however, and cause no problem as they cannot leave the plant. The pink buds open into white flowers which are followed by golf-ball size seed pods with a fuzzy coating. It requires a long growing season, if the fruit is to mature in zone 5a - start the seeds early. This small perennial shrub cultivated in uplands of South America for its edible bright orange fruits resembling tomatoes or oranges. Bright orange fruit about the size of a large cherry tomato. Fruits are covered with numerous fuzzy hairs that rub off when ripe. Pulp is yellow to greenish, sweet-and-sour and of excellent flavor. Eaten fresh, but most commonly used to make drinks. Is also used in preserves and desserts. The naranjilla is subtropical and enjoys slightly cooler than tropical temperatures. Naranjilla's like frequent watering and can stand brief temperature drops below freezing. It is easily container grown, and is often done so in areas with nematode problems as it is susceptible to root nematodes. The naranjilla is thought the be a short day plant, and may only set fruit when there are 8-10 daylight hours. Propagation: By seed and root cuttings.

Solanum rantonnetii, Lycianthes rantonnetii

One of our favorites. Beautiful ever-blooming shrub. Tolerates dry conditions and extreme heat. Very fast-growing. Produces masses of deep purple, yellow centred flowers. Flowering is most prolific during the warmer months. Suited to most garden styles and situations. Ideal for creating an attractive and permanent backdrop for smaller shrubs and perennials. Adds year round color to the garden with its golden foliage. A full sun location is preferred although will grow in light shade. Soil should be well drained. Water deeply during extended dry periods and apply a slow release fertiliser during spring. A light prune after main flower flushes will help maintain a neat, compact shape as well as encourage further flower production. Another close species - Solanum hindsianum from Sonoran Desert (nortwestern Mexico) - a bushy, pendulous, branching shrub, ornamental for it's showy, circular, bluish purple flowers which cover the plant.