Sandy Knapp is a botanist who focuses on the nightshades (Solanaceae). Her work ranges from taxonomy to phylogenetics and evolution, with a focus on the wild relatives of important crops like tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants. She has spent much time in the field collecting plants, mostly in South America. She is the author of several popular books on the history of science and botanical exploration, including the award-winning “Potted Histories: An Artistic Voyage Through Plant Exploration” (2004) and, most recently, “Extraordinary Orchids” (2020).