Solanum tuberosum
Potato
Solanum tuberosum, commonly known as the potato, is a versatile tuberous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Beyond its global culinary importance, it possesses significant medicinal potential. Rich in bioactive compounds like phenolic acids and flavonoids, it offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties used in traditional healing practices.
- Scientific name: Solanum tuberosum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae, it is classified under the genus Solanum. Therefore, the medicinal species Solanum tuberosum is defined by this specific hierarchical lineage.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Solanum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Solanum tuberosum, is recognized by various common names depending on the language and region. In English, it is most frequently called the potato, a term shared across different dialects such as en-ca (potato) and en-gb (potato). In German, the plant is referred to as the Kartoffel, while in the Abkhaz language, it is known as Акартош.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | potato | Wikidata |
| de | Kartoffel | Wikidata |
| en-ca | potato | Wikidata |
| en-gb | potato | Wikidata |
| ab | Акартош | Wikidata |
| af | aartappel | Wikidata |
| am | ድንች | Wikidata |
| ang | Eorþpera | Wikidata |
| ar | بطاطا | Wikidata |
| arz | بطاطس | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Solanum tuberosum, exhibits a broad presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution extends through the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of both Belgium and Germany. Additionally, the plant is widely distributed throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically within France. These various locations highlight the significant geographical range this medicinal species occupies.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Solanum tuberosum, utilizes various parts that serve different biological and potentially medicinal functions. The stems are perhaps the most distinctive component, as they undergo underground modification to form tubers, which serve as the primary energy storage organs. The leaves are typically green, compound, or deeply lobed, facilitating photosynthesis to support the plant's growth. Additionally, the plant produces small, green fruits that resemble berries; however, unlike the edible tubers, these fruits contain high concentrations of alkaloids and are generally avoided due to their toxicity.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Solanum tuberosum has 64 reported phytochemicals identified across 75 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include starch, amylopectin, amylose, ascorbic acid, kukoamine A.
- Total chemicals
- 64
- Scientific sources
- 75
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| starch | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| amylopectin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amylose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kukoamine A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lectin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitamin C | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E,E)-farnesol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ABA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Solanum tuberosum has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antiplatelet.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplatelet | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Solanum tuberosum has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Ralstonia solanacearum, pain, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ralstonia solanacearum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus megaterium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malnutrition | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Potato virus X | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas syringae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atopic dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |