Lycianthes
Encyclopedia
Lycianthes is a genus
of plant
s from the nightshade family (Solanaceae
), found in both the Old World
and the New World
, but predominantly in the latter. It contains roughly 200 species
, mostly from tropical America, with 35-40 species in Asia and the Pacific.
(Capsicum). However, it was long confused with the nightshades (Solanum), and several little-known "Solanum" species presumably belong here.
include:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
s from the nightshade family (Solanaceae
Solanaceae
Solanaceae are a family of flowering plants that include a number of important agricultural crops as well as many toxic plants. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear...
), found in both the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
and the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
, but predominantly in the latter. It contains roughly 200 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, mostly from tropical America, with 35-40 species in Asia and the Pacific.
Characteristics
Lycianthes is apparently closely related to the chili and bell peppersCapsicum
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...
(Capsicum). However, it was long confused with the nightshades (Solanum), and several little-known "Solanum" species presumably belong here.
Species
SpeciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
include:
- Lycianthes australis (C.V.Morton) Hunz. & Barboza
- Lycianthes biflora (Lour.) Bitter
- Lycianthes denticulata (Blume) Bitter
- Lycianthes hypochryseaLycianthes hypochryseaLycianthes hypochrysea is a species of plant in the Solanaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador.-Source:* Montúfar, R. & Pitman, N. 2004. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
- Lycianthes laevis (Dunal) Bitter
- Lycianthes lycioides (L.) Hassl.
- Lycianthes mociniana (Dunal) Bitter – tlanochtle (NahuatlNahuatlNahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
) - Lycianthes rantonnetiiLycianthes rantonnetiiLycianthes rantonnetii is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay....
(Carrière) Bitter – Blue Potato Bush - Lycianthes rimbachiiLycianthes rimbachiiLycianthes rimbachii is a species of plant in the Solanaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador.-Source:* Montúfar, R. & Pitman, N. 2004. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
- Lycianthes shanesii (F.Muell.) A.R.Bean
- "Solanum chrysophyllumSolanum chrysophyllum"Solanum chrysophyllum" is a flowering plant species in the nightshade family . It probably belongs to those species formerly in Solanum but nowadays placed in Lycianthes, though its exact identity and name remain undetermined....
" - "Solanum lanuginosumSolanum lanuginosum"Solanum lanuginosum" is a flowering plant species in the nightshade family . It probably belongs to those species formerly in Solanum but nowadays placed in Lycianthes, though its exact identity and name remain undetermined....
" - "Solanum loxenseSolanum loxense"Solanum loxense" is a flowering plant species in the nightshade family . It probably belongs to those species formerly in Solanum but nowadays placed in Lycianthes, though its exact identity and name remain undetermined....
" - "Solanum mucronatumSolanum mucronatum"Solanum mucronatum" is a flowering plant species in the nightshade family...
" – "pepino"