Solandra /soʊˈlændrə/[1] is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is named after the Swedish naturalist Daniel C. Solander.[2]
| Solandra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Solandra maxima | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Subfamily: | Solanoideae |
| Tribe: | Solandreae |
| Genus: | Solandra Sw. |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Swartsia J.F.Gmel. | |
The vines it contains are commonly known as chalice vines and are native to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. They have very large flowers and glossy foliage. Also called Cup of Gold.
Solandra grandiflora was once (and likely still is) used by the Huichol of Mexico and other tribes of the region where it is known by the name "kieli" or "kieri" with some archaeological evidence supporting the theory that its use as a hallucinogen predates that of peyote (Lophophora williamsii). A tea from the branches and more so from the roots and fruits is used as an inebriant in native traditions. The alkaloids present include atropine, noratropine, hyoscyamine, and tropine with about 0.15% overall content in the leaves.[3][4]
In all ten species are recognized:[3]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 |
Solandra grandiflora Sw. | Tropical America |
 |
Solandra longiflora Tussac | Venezuela, Ecuador, Suriname |
 |
Solandra maxima (Sessé & Moc.) P.S.Green – Golden chalice vine, Cup of Gold, Hawaiian lily | Mexico and Central America |
Media related to Solandra at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Solandra at Wikispecies
