How to identify Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Potato, also known as Tater, Spud
Potato is a herbaceous perennial often cultivated as an annual for its harvestable underground tubers. The plant typically reaches a height of up to 2 feet (60 cm) and may present an erect or sprawling form with branching stems that can be smooth to sparsely hairy. Its leaves are dark green, pinnately compound, with 6 to 8 leaflets that range from sparsely to densely hairy. The plant blooms with white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, each featuring a central cluster of yellow stamens. Occasional green or yellowish-green berries around 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter may be produced, though all above-ground parts contain toxic solanine.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Pinnately compound dark green leaves with 6-8 leaflets, hairy, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.
Colorful flowers (white, pink, purple, blue) with central yellow stamens, 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 inches) wide.
Toxic yellowish-green berries, 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter, sometimes striped, containing numerous seeds.
Erect, branching stems, smooth to sparsely hairy, reaching 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height.
Underground tubers and horizontal stolons crucial for plant propagation and identification.
The leaves of potato are alternate and pinnately-compound with variably shaped leaflets. These leaves can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long and 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) wide. Featuring 6 to 8 pairs of leaflets that are opposite or alternate, each leaflet can be up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide. They may have sparse to dense hair, with entire or shallowly toothed margins and an absence of lobing. Odd-pinnate compound leaves with a notable die-back after tuber maturation.
Potato flowers exhibit a diverse range of colors—white, pink, purple, or blue—and measure approximately 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 inches) in width. These blooms feature yellow stamens and are arranged in clusters located in the leaf axils or at stem tips. Each flower is borne on a pedicel, which is 1-3 cm (0.4-1.2 inches) long and jointed in the middle. Individual plants may produce flowers of all four different colors, contributing to their distinctive appearance.
Potato has erect, winged stems that branch out. The surface of the stem varies from being smooth to sparsely hairy. These stems are generally green and can grow to a height of about 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm). Notably, potato also has underground, horizontal stems called stolons that produce edible tubers. The stolons can extend several inches (centimeters) from the main plant and are crucial for tuber formation.
The fruit of potato typically appears as a small, spherical berry measuring about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter. It exhibits a smooth texture with a color ranging from yellowish-green to green. Often, these berries may display striped patterns. They contain numerous seeds within. Notably, these berries are extremely toxic and should not be consumed. The inedible fruits are a key feature for identification of this species.
Scan QR code to download
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Identify a Plant Online
Scientific Classification of Potato
