Taken from the session 'New crops, new varieties, new dircetions', John Samules of Incredible Plants discusses Novel Solanaceae
The Solanaceae is one of the most economically important plant families and is a source of plants with high food, ornamental and pharmacological value. It comprises around three thousand five hundred species, thirty-five of which (in Solanum, Capsicum, Physalis and Lycium) are commonly cultivated across the world. Well over two hundred other species are semi-cultivated, collected from the wild or edible wild relatives of domesticated crops. Although in the UK there is a history of use of some exotic solanaceous crops, such as African eggplants, huckleberry and goji, these have only been available through imports. Only Solanum tuberosum (Irish potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Solanum melongena (brinjal eggplant) and Capsicum annuum (sweet and hot peppers) are commonly cultivated in the UK on a significant commercial basis. Eleven species have high novel crop potential for organic production in the UK. Most of these are semi-hardy, perennial shrubs which suit protected cropping or sheltered outdoor situations. Their fruits are often unusual and attractive, and high in vitamins and minerals. Most have never been grown in the UK, except on an amateur basis, and several should be considered for trials, development and marketing as highly lucrative novel crops.
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