Smile of Earth- 17

Flowers of Solanaceae

Eggplant flower

Solanaceae, also known as the potato family or nightshade family, is one of the most utilized and important plant families. The members of the family are found throughout the world but are abundant in the tropical regions.
It includes some of the most important food plants. Solanaceae has many ornamental plants also. Here, I am presenting flowers of food crops or vegetables of the family.
The common vegetables of the family are potato (Solanum tuberosum), eggplant or brinjal (Solanum melongena), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and chili peppers (Capsicum species).

Potatoes are carbohydrate-rich food and are important in the diet of many people around the world. Tomato is prized for its red, fleshy, vitamin-rich fruits. Less commonly eaten is the eggplant and it’s large, purplish, edible fruits are used in Indian dishes. The numerous varieties of chili are used to give a hot, spicy flavor to many foods.
All photographs are from my garden.

Potato flower

Green chili flower

Tomato flowers