Nowadays, the world is turning toward herbal medicine for health improvement. This system of medicine is not new; it has roots in the beginning of human civilization, perhaps as early as the time of the Neanderthals. Evidence of early herbal remediation dates back over 4,000 years ago; examples include the Chinese Empire (2800 BCE), Babylon (1770 BCE), and Ancient Egypt (1550 BCE). Islamic and Indian physicians also wrote many works prior to 1100 AD and the seals from the Harappan site in Pakistan (2000 BC) also indicate the use of plants. The first step in quality control of botanical preparations is ensuring the correct identification of the plant intended for use. While there are several methods for identification, the most direct and least expensive is macroscopic identification. The foliar epidermis is one of the most striking taxonomic characteristics from the biosystematic point of view, and the taxonomic studies of a number of families are made on the basis of the leaf epidermis. The role of anatomical data in traditional taxonomy has been long recognized since the variations within the species, genera or a family is usually reflected in anatomical features as well. Leaf epidermal anatomical features such as stomata, trichomes and other characteristics are useful identification tools. Such characteristics in plants show great diversity and could be very effective for the resolution of existing taxonomic problems of medicinal plant species.

Traditional societies have always exploited edible wild plants to provide an adequate level of nutrition. These plant resources play a significant role in nutrition, food security and income generation. Agricultural development and cultivation in developing countries are primarily based on subsistence crops and edible wild plant species, and only secondary on the cultivation or utilisation of a wide diversity of food crops. The Solanaceae, to which the genus Solanum L belongs, is a cosmopolitan family containing many essential vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Many species of genus Solanum are world-wide weeds of arable land, gardens, contained in soils rich in nitrogen, moderately light with warm situations, which occur from sea to mountain levels. They are widely used as leafy herbs, vegetables, as a source of fruit, and for various medicinal purposes. Therefore, human consumption of their leaves and fruits as food is widespread. Among them is Solanum torvum Swartz, which could be an important staple crop that is being used variously for research purposes world-wide. It is a potential staple crop due to its pharmacological and ethnobotanical importance. This book attempts to uncap all the available information on Solanum torvum Swartz. Accurately, by providing an identification key, descriptions of the taxa and most widely reported dietary, ethnobotanical and pharmacological uses. This book intends to contribute to improving the potential value of Solanum torvum Swartz through increased use of the available genetic diversity. Monographs in the series will form as valuable reference sources for all those scientists involved in conservation, research, improvement and promotion of this plant species.