The Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade or potato family, is comprised of approximately 2,280 species and 102 genera of flowering plants in the Solanales order. These plants have significant economic importance as they are commonly used as both food and drugs. While they can be found throughout the world, they are most abundant in tropical regions of Latin America, where about 40 genera are endemic. Although only about 50 species are found in the United States and Canada combined, very few members are found in temperate regions. Unfortunately, the presence of poisonous alkaloids in some species of this family has led to the sombre vernacular name of “nightshade”.
The sacred datura belongs to a family of flowering plants that can be annuals, biennials, or perennials and are mostly herbs, but some species grow as shrubs or small trees. The leaves are simple and arranged alternately. These plants have solitary or clustered flowers with five fused sepals and petals, and five stamens. They also have a superior ovary composed of two fused carpels obliquely placed in the flower upon a basal disk of tissue. The style is simple and bears a two-lobed stigma, the pollen-receptive surface. Insects are usually attracted to these conspicuous flowers, and their fruit can either be a berry or a capsule.
