What do we often find in our kitchens, used in a myriad of recipes, and known worldwide? It's none other than the humble potato. However, do you know that its scientific name is Solanum tuberosum ? This everyday vegetable also goes by the names Irish potato, Pomme de terre, and white potato.
To understand more about the potato, let's delve into its scientific classification:
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Solanum
- Species: Solanum tuberosum
Potatoes are perennial herbaceous plants that are typically cultivated as annual crops. They exhibit a range of growth patterns, from upright to sprawling, and can grow as tall as two feet. The potato plant's claim to fame is its ability to produce stolons, the underground tubers that we commonly consume.
Ranking as the fourth most important food crop globally, potatoes are valued for their starchy tubers. However, it's crucial to note that the green parts of the potato plant contain the toxin solanine and are hence, not safe for consumption. This includes the sprouts, stalks, berries, leaves, and the green skin of the tuber, all of which contain harmful glycoalkaloids that can impact human health.
Related Links:
- Flower – Parts and Functions
- Floral Formula of Solanaceae
- Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Liliaceae: Family Description
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