Dictionary.net

genus of the Solanaceae: nightshade; potato; eggplant; bittersweet

The nightshade; the systematic name of several plants, of which some are edible, as the potato, and others poisonous.

Pentandria Monogynia. A narcotic poison. The Haile de Morelle is made, by macerating in oil, for several days, the leaves and fruit of this plant. The oil is anodyne and discutient.

The typical genus of solanaceous plants. They are herbs or shrubs, or rarely trees, most abundant in the tropics. They furnish many useful drugs and foods.