Potatoes

Species name: Solan urn tuberosum

The potato is a tuber from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family. The Solanaceae family includes tobacco, nightshade, nettles, tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants. A tuber is an engorged, nutrient-storing stolon or bud, located just below the soil surface and the stem of the plant. As a tuber, the potato is not technically a root but falls into the root-vegetable category in terms of its appearances, the fact that it is grown underground, as well as its culinary use. The external parts of the potato plant are toxic and should not be eaten. The sprouts that develop on the tuber during germination should also be avoided.