Contents
Description
Solanales is an order of flowering plants that includes more than 4,200 species distributed in 165 genera. Members of this order are characterized by having alternate or opposite leaves, bisexual or unisexual flowers, and fruits such as berries, capsules, or drupes. Some of the most economically important species in this order are tomato, potato, eggplant, and tobacco.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Angiosperms |
| Class | Eudicots |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, Montiniaceae, Sphenocleaceae |
| Genus | More than 165 genera |
Appearance
Members of Solanales have a wide range of appearance. They can be small herbs or large trees, annuals or perennials, and have different leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. The flowers can also vary in shape, size, and color, and can be solitary or arranged in inflorescences. The fruits can be berries, capsules, or drupes, and can be edible or toxic depending on the species.
Care Guide
To take care of plants in Solanales, you need to consider their water, fertilization, soil, sunlight, and hardiness zones.Water: Most plants in Solanales prefer well-drained soil and moderate watering. However, some species like tomato and potato require more water during their growing season.Fertilization: Solanales plants generally benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer. You can also use organic fertilizers like compost or manure to improve soil fertility.Soil: Most Solanales plants prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. They also prefer a well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.Sunlight: Most Solanales plants prefer full sun exposure, but some species like morning glory can tolerate partial shade.Hardiness Zones: The hardiness zones for Solanales plants vary widely depending on the species. However, most of them can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Some of the common pests and diseases that affect Solanales plants include:Pests:- Aphids- Whiteflies- Spider mites- Flea beetles- Cutworms- HornwormsDiseases:- Early blight- Late blight- Verticillium wilt- Fusarium wilt- Bacterial wilt- Tobacco mosaic virus
Habitat
Solanales plants are distributed in different habitats around the world, including tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, and temperate forests. Some species like potato and tomato are widely cultivated in many parts of the world for food production.
Question and Answer
Q: What are some of the economically important plants in Solanales?
A: Some of the most economically important plants in Solanales are tomato, potato, eggplant, and tobacco.
Q: What are the common pests that affect Solanales plants?
A: Some of the common pests that affect Solanales plants are aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, flea beetles, cutworms, and hornworms.
Q: What is the preferred soil pH for Solanales plants?
A: Most Solanales plants prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Q: What are the hardiness zones for Solanales plants?
A: The hardiness zones for Solanales plants vary widely depending on the species, but most of them can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 11.
Related Plants
Some of the related plants to Solanales include:- Gentianales- Lamiales- Asterales- Ericales- Malvales- Rosales
References
– Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 14, July 2017 [and more or less continuously updated since].- Solanales. (2021, January 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanales
