Solanum lycopersicum

PlantID

PDB0003

Scientific Name

Solanum lycopersicum

Common Names

Tomato

Abstract

Tomatoes (cultivated varieties of Solanum lycopersicum) belong to the nightshade family. Although botanically classified as fruits, they are commonly consumed as vegetables. Tomatoes are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. It's considered a vegetable fruit, commonly eaten raw in salads, served as a cooked vegetable, used as an ingredient of various prepared dishes, and pickled.

A major dietary source of lycopene, tomatoes contribute to antioxidant intake, which has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Typically red at maturity, tomatoes also appear in various colors such as yellow, orange, green, and purple, reflecting their genetic diversity and nutritional profiles.