Back to Biodiversity Explorer main pageGo to Iziko Museums of Cape Town home pageAbout Biodiversity Explorer - history, goals, etc.Send us your questions about southern African biodiversityPeople who have contributed content and images.Search Biodiversity Explorer

Genus: Withania

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) >  Eudicotyledons >  Core Eudicots >  Asterids >  Euasterid I > Order: Solanales >  Family: Solanaceae

About 10 species, all native to the Old World. Withania somnifera is the only species native to southern Africa.

Herbivores in southern Africa

Acherontia atropos (Death's Head Hawkmoth).

The caterpillars eat the leaves of many species in the Solanaceae, including Withania.

Lepidoptera: Sphingidae

Photo by H.L. O'Heffernan, © Iziko

 

Contact us if you can contribute information or images to improve this page.

Biodiversity Explorer home   Iziko home   Search