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A Handbook of Biology

2. SØLÅÑÅÇËÅË (PØTÅTØ FÅMÏLÝ)

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It is a large family. It is widely distributed in tropics, subtropics and even

temperate zones.

VËGËTÅTÏVË ÇHÅRÅÇTËRS

(b)

(a)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Solanum nigrum

(makoi) plant : (a) Flowering twig (b) Flower

(c) L.S. of flower (d) Stamens (e) Carpel (f) Floral diagram

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Plants mostly, herbs, shrubs and rarely small trees.

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Stem: Herbaceous rarely woody, aerial; erect, cylindrical, branched, solid

or hollow, hairy or glabrous, underground stem in potato (Solanum

tuberosum).

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Leaves: Alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, exstipulate;

venation reticulate.

FLØRÅL ÇHÅRÅÇTËRS

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Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary or cymose as in Solanum.

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Flower: Bisexual, actinomorphic.

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Calyx: Sepals five, united, persistent, valvate aestivation.

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Corolla: Petals five, united; valvate aestivation.

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Androecium: Stamens five, epipetalous.

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Gynoecium: Bicarpellary obligately placed, syncarpous; ovary

superior, bilocular, placenta swollen with many ovules. (AIPMT 2001)

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Fruits: Berry or capsule

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Seeds: Many, endospermous

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Floral Formula: ⊕ K(5)C(5) A(5) G(2) (NEET 2015)