About 100 species, found worldwide in warm and temperate regions, especially the New World. There are about 23 species native to southern Africa, with an additional two species cultivated in the region.

About 67 species, found mainly in the New World. Nicotiana africana is the only indigenous species in southern Africa, endemic to Namibia. In addition, three species are naturalised and six species are cultivated in southern Africa. The genus includes tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) which contains the toxic alkaloid nicotine which, besides being addictive to people, is also used as an insecticide.

There are about 1400 species in this cosmopolitan genus, most of which are native to the tropics. There are 36 species native to southern Africa, 20 species naturalised and an additional 26 species cultivated in the region. The genus includes the Potato Solanum tuberosum and the Aubergine / Eggplant / Brinjal Solanum melongena.

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

Browallia

One species naturalised and another species cultivated in southern Africa.

The 10 species are native to tropical America. Capsicum annuum (Chilli, Sweet pepper, Paprika) (see Flora of Zimbabwe) and Capsicum frutescens (Piri-piri) have become naturalised in southern Africa. The genus includes sweet peppers, chilli peppers, cayenne pepper and paprika, all varieties of the species Capsicum annuum.

About 175 species, native to tropical America. Three species have become naturalised in southern Africa. They can be toxic to livestock and all three are declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa. An additional four species and one hybrid are cultivated in the region.

Cyphomandra betacea (Tree tomato)

Native to Peru.

About eight species, all native to the New World, with four species naturalised in southern Africa. Datura ferox (Large thorn apple, Grootstinkblaar), Datura innoxia (Downy thorn apple, Harige stinkblaar) and Datura stramonium (Common thorn apple, Gewone stinkblaar) are declared Category 1 invasive plants in South Africa.

Iochroma

One species naturalised and another species cultivated in southern Africa.

Lycopersicon

Two species naturalised in southern Africa.

One species: Nicandra physalodes, native to Peru but has become naturalised in most warm countries, including in southern Africa. See Flora of Zimbabwe.

One species naturalised and three species cultivated in southern Africa.

About 80 species, most of which are found in the New World. Eight species have become naturalised in southern Africa; an additional two species are cultivated in the region. The genus includes the Cape Gooseberry Physalis peruviana.