tomato, (Solanum lycopersicum), flowering plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), cultivated extensively for its edible fruits.
Is tomato a plant or stem?
Tomato plants typically grow to 1–3 meters (3–10 ft) in height. They are vines that have a weak stem that sprawls and typically needs support. Indeterminate tomato plants are perennials in their native habitat, but are cultivated as annuals.
Is tomato a plant?
The Tomato Plant. Solanum is the genus family that the tomato plant belongs to. The tomato plant is usually grown in the tropics as a perennial plant but in other areas it is mostly grown as a annual plant. The plant originated in chile and now has spread all through out the world.
Why is it called tomato?
The tomato is a native of the lower Andes, cultivated by the Aztecs in Mexico. The Aztec word ‘tomatl’ meant simply “plump fruit” and the Spanish conquerors called it “tomate”.
Is tomato a shrub or vine?
The tomato tree (Cyphonandra betacea) is a perennial shrub, he said. If planted in the proper region, the tree produces fruit from flowers in three months. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) are annual vines that produce fruit in weeks, not months.
Is tomato a leaf?
Now we’re talking about the leaves of the plant itself, not the small leaves attached to the stem — those are generally too fibrous to eat. But the leaves of the plant are tender, fragrant and, yes, completely edible. Contrary to popular opinion, you can eat tomato leaves just like any other garden green.
What part of plant is tomato?
From a botanical point of view, a tomato is in fact a fruit. A fruit is defined as a part of a plant that develops from a flower’s ovary and contains seeds. Since a tomato develops from its flower’s ovary and contains seeds, then a tomato is in fact a fruit and not a vegetable.
Why tomato is a fruit?
Tomatoes are botanically defined as fruits because they form from a flower and contain seeds. Still, they’re most often utilized like a vegetable in cooking. In fact, the US Supreme Court ruled in 1893 that the tomato should be classified as a vegetable on the basis of its culinary applications.
Is a tree a plant?
tree, woody plant that regularly renews its growth (perennial). Most plants classified as trees have a single self-supporting trunk containing woody tissues, and in most species the trunk produces secondary limbs, called branches.
How do tomato plants grow?
Tomatoes need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun to bring out their best flavors. You will need to stake, trellis, or cage most tomato plants to keep them off the ground. Decide on a support plan before you set out your plants, then add that support directly after planting. Give each plant enough room to grow.
What is the common name of tomato?
Solanum lycopersicum (tomato)
Who is first tomato?
The Tomato History has origins traced back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D; therefore it is believed that the tomato is native to the Americas. It was not until around the 16th century that Europeans were introduced to this fruit when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands.
What are uses of tomato?
People use tomato for cancer prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don’t confuse tomato with lycopene, the antioxidant found in tomatoes.
What is shrub plant?
shrub, any woody plant that has several stems, none dominant, and is usually less than 3 m (10 feet) tall. When much-branched and dense, it may be called a bush. Intermediate between shrubs and trees are arborescences, or treelike shrubs, from 3 to 6 m tall.
Is tomato a herb or climber?
Herbs have stems that are soft and unbranched, while shrubs have woody, branched, and numerous stems. Owing to their similar features, shrubs are frequently mistaken for herbs, but shrubs are taller compared to herbs. Tomato is an example of herbs.
Is tomato plant a climber?
Grow it yourself: Tomatoes. A lot of people love tomatoes, but not all tomato-lovers have tried growing this herb-like fruiting vegetable themselves. It can be grown as an annual plant and it is best known as a climbing plant, although the plant was originally a creeper.
What type of leaf is a tomato?
The tomato plant has compound leaves. A compound leaf is made up of leaflets which are distributed along the leaf rachis. While the entire leaf is connected to the stem by the petiole, the leaflets are connected to the rachis of the leaf by the petiolule. Some of the leaflets on this leaf are compound as well.
How do you identify a tomato plant?
Look at the leaves and notice the serrated, or wavy and pointed, edging along the entire leaf. Tomato leaves are compound with multiple leaflets growing along a common stem, called a rachis. Touch the leaf and feel a slight fuzziness, which is caused by the trichomes, or multi-cellular hairs, on the plant.
Can I eat tomato leaves?
Contrary to popular opinion, yes—tomato leaves are flavorful, fragrant, and 100 percent edible. You can cook the fresh, young leaves like most other sturdy garden greens, such as kale, collards, or cabbage (leafy greens that need a little longer cooking time to become tender).
Is tomato is a fruit?
To a botanist, a fruit is an entity that develops from the fertilized ovary of a flower. This means that tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, corn kernels, and bean and pea pods are all fruits; so are apples, pears, peaches, apricots, melons and mangos.
Why tomato is a vegetable?
To summarise, tomatoes are usually prepared in savoury dishes despite botanically being a fruit, which is why they are often described as a vegetable from a culinary perspective.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.