171 Garden tomato Solanum lycopersicum The tomato is the edible, often red fruit/berry of the nightshade Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant. The species originated in the South American Andes and its use as a food originated in Mexico, and spread throughout the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Its many varieties are now widely grown, sometimes in greenhouses in cooler climates. The tomato is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes, sauces, salads, and drinks. While it is botanically a fruit, it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes (as well as under U.S. customs regulations, see Nix v. Hedden), which has caused some confusion. The fruit is rich in lycopene, which may have beneficial health effects. 521671 Solanum_lycopersicum 171.jpg image/jpeg 99027 2012-04-20T09:37:18Z 181 Vegetables Fruit vegetables Type 1 2011-02-09T00:37:24Z 2019-05-14T18:04:18Z true specific 4081 true FOOD00171