Reptile & Amphibian Forums

np
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Matt

Hi MAtt,
if you're wondering b/c of the hornworm/toxicity issue - don't
It is the root, stems and leaves that are toxic (even to us!) but the fruit itself is fine. If you feed uncooked potatoes (same family) to them just make sure it they are not old and have sprouted at all. We shouldn't eat them at that stage either.

Potatoes are in the same family as tomatoes? Really?? That's interesting... I'm curious as to where you found that info; tomatoes are technically a fruit, and potatoes are tubers. Just wondering where the similarity lies. I really don't mean to sound sarcastic or patronizing; I'm genuinely curious.

Julie

Hi Julie,

Well, I got the info from my head but actually learned it from gardening and then my horticulture degree...No, I'm not being sarcastic either! LOL! I'm always interested in feeding curiosity - it's how I learn, too!

You are right, the parts that we eat are tubers & fruits and deadly nightshade (same family and is the plant the drug belladona is derived from) produces berries. Datura, or Thornapple, produces a very thorny capsule that contains many seeds. Eggplant, peppers and petunias are also in this family. We just grow all these plants for different uses: eat, smoke, medicine, ornamental. (see thread below on hornworms and Solanaceae family).

It is actually the flower that determines what family a plant belongs in. It all has to do with numbers of petals, stamens and other reproductive parts. The potato, or tuber, is basically a "swollen" root. If you look at the flower of it and all of these plants mentioned you will see the similarities - try a Google Image search for tomato flower, potato flower etc.

lele
Here is one site with some limited info:
Solanaceae Family