What is Nightshade?
{{Taxobox | name = Solanaceae | image = brugmansia_lg.jpg | image_width = 320px | image_caption = A flowering ''Brugmansia x insignis'' <br />from the US Botanic Garden | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Solanales]] | familia = '''Solanaceae'''}} The '''nightshades''' ('''Solanaceae''') are a family of [[flowering plants]]. Many members of the family contain strong [[alkaloid]]s, and some are very [[toxic]]. Well-known members of this family are [[chili pepper]]s, [[petunia]]s, [[deadly nightshade]], [[mandrake]]s, [[potato]]es, [[tomato]]es, [[aubergine]]s (eggplants) and [[tobacco]]. Because it is thought that nightshades can cause or increase swelling and pain, many people do not eat them. The poisons in the plants are [[defence against herbivory|defence against animals that might eat them]]. [[Category:Solanaceae| ]]