18 — Wednesday, January 28, 1998 ~ North Shore News NEWS photo Mike Wakefield ‘TOMATOES are fruits that were originally found in Central America. They are now grown in hybridized . form all over the world. alerlor Threadl 100% Polyester, 150m. Spools, 11 Fashion Shades. § SOLIDS |1& SUITINGS Pieces under 1m, 100% Polyester § 100% Cotton Prints, 9 115m, Req. $9.99/m. 100% Polyester, {iSem. § & 150cm, Reg, $9.99m. § north OME & PLANTS, like people, have some interesting family histories. Tracing a family tree can sometimes turn up a relative vou never knew you had. When one looks at plant families based on pollen type, flower structure and genetic patterns there can alsa be some surprises, You might nor think there is anv connection between such diverse items as petunias, raratouille, french fries, chili and acigars, but they all have a common ancestry. The Solanaceae family has about 90) genera and some 2,500 species, found around the globe. Iris one of the mare cosmopolitan members of the plant world and one of the most important to human societies, It is widely distributed, being found on every continent, but tends to be more concentrated in Central and South America. It may have originated in that area. » The members of the fami- ly are found as herbs, shrubs and in a few cases as trees. Many of them have a wide range of uses with great eco- nomic importance ta society. As gardeners, we may not have made the connection berween all the common flowers we grow and their relationship to the solanum family. Petunia, nicotiana, schizanthus and salpiglossis are some of the better PATTERNS| Limit 10/customer Quilt Batts 72"x100", 100% Polyester, Reg. $5.99/ea. Velour | FASHION LENGTHS, 1$0cm,, Reg. $12.99/m, VINYL ENDS 137cm. Reg. $6.99im., Selection varies in each store. Not available Bay Calgary or Vancouver. — NORTH VANCOUVER, 710 West 14TH. St., 980-0551) ~ » Maple Ridge, - * Qowntown Vancouver, * Abbelstord Sin, Floos, the Bay, 689-2115 Hie tougmes Hywy.463-0067 . 32838 Ventura Ave,,853-. we Gurnaby, 7274 Gitey Ava. A30-B374 ‘Coquitiam, 2773 Samet tray, 464-1918 3008 2am S$1..$90-8226 > Langi ** Chiltwach 46145 Yale Ad, 7%: 13978 ey, 19950 ¥itlowtuook Or.,593-4805 shore news GARDEN known ones but niercherdia, browallia and brunfelsia are also close cousins. The pota- to vine (Solanum jasminoides alba} that has become a pop- ular trailing plant for hang- ing baskets is one of the family. Another plant that has become common in the fast few vears is Darura. This plant, with its 20-30 cm long tubular flowers and rich seent, is an excellent show plant for tubs and patio gaz- dens. The best-known truit- ing plant in the Solanum familvis the tomato. Originally found in Central America, it is has now been hybridized and is grown all over the world. A close cousin is the eggplant (aubergine) that has been popularized in Mediterranean cooking. Several other closely related types of fruit are cape goose- berries, husk tomatoes and tomatiflos, none of which are very popular in Canada. The only major veg- etable in the family is the common potato. The first mention of potatoes by Europeans was in 1538 when the Spanish explorers invaded Peru and sent rubers back to Spain. Like tama- toes, the potato has been hybridized and has become one of the major cconomic food crops in the world. One group of plants in the Solanum family would best be described as a source of spice. The capsicum species or peppers are widely grown for their tangy flavor or for their ability to flavor other foods. Whether the peppers are cayenne, chili, paprika, red, green, yellow or sweet, they all belong to ihe same family. The one exception is black pepper or Piper nigrum, In recent years both hor peppers and sweet peppers have grows in popularity and economic value, Several greenhouse shrubs or vines are notable members of the Solanum family including Pscude-cap- sicum or Jerusalent Cherry which is sald as a Christnias house plant. Cestrum noceur- mia or Queen-of- the- Night, an evening scented jasmine that is often too powerlul to be grown in the house belongs to the group, Streptosolen jamesoni, a lovely greenhouse vine also. belongs to the family. Many of the Solanum family of plaats produce a variety of alkaloids and poi- sonous substances. One of the most widely grown, but also most harmful is Nicotiana tabacum or tobac- co. The powerful alkaloid, nicotine, is the active ingre- dient and is highly poiso- nous, ‘The growing of tobac- co isa multi-billion dollar industry and keeps some Third World economies afloat, Unfortunately, the plant also killed 20,000 peo- pie in Canada last year. Other poisonaus plants in the family are nightshade (also known as belladonna), mandrake, jimson weed, and black henbane. There are few plant fami- lies that produce such a wide range of commercially valu- able plants and useful prod- ucts, eet The new Cedar Lecture Series at VanDusen Gardens will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at S$ p.m. with a ralk by fim Reynolds entitled “Creating a Subtrapical Paradise.” Join Jim to find out how to grow bananas, canas, gingers and palms i in’ Vancouver, For information call 878-9274, Don’t forget to check the: North Shore Continuing Education calendar for the. wide selection of garden courses offered,