>> Actually, so did everyone else. The two plants are remotely related
>> botanically. Most early European herbals listed tomatoes as a variety of
>
>Not so remote a connection--they belong to the same genus (Solanum).
>

Not quite. Eggplants and tomatoes are members of the Solanaceae family.
Lycopersicon (which includes only tomatoes) is a separate genus within the
family. This been debated for years and, alas, not all botanists agree (can you
imagine that?). Many botany books have it wrong.

See Charles Rick, "Biosystematic Studies in Lycopersicon and Closely Related
Species of Solanum," in J. G. Hawkes, R. N. Lester, and A. D. Skelding, eds.,
The Biology and Taxonomy of the Solanaceae (London: Academic Press, 1979),
667-77, and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

Andy Smith

Andy Smith

On 15 May 2004, ASmith1946 wrote:

> >> Actually, so did everyone else. The two plants are remotely related
> >> botanically. Most early European herbals listed tomatoes as a variety of
> >
> >Not so remote a connection--they belong to the same genus (Solanum).
> >
>
> Not quite. Eggplants and tomatoes are members of the Solanaceae family.
> Lycopersicon (which includes only tomatoes) is a separate genus within the
> family. This been debated for years and, alas, not all botanists agree (can you
> imagine that?). Many botany books have it wrong.
>
> See Charles Rick, "Biosystematic Studies in Lycopersicon and Closely Related
> Species of Solanum," in J. G. Hawkes, R. N. Lester, and A. D. Skelding, eds.,
> The Biology and Taxonomy of the Solanaceae (London: Academic Press, 1979),
> 667-77, and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

Well, more recently Lycopersicon has been melded into Solanum. I could get
you references, but looking up L Bohs, R Olmstead or D Spooner should
help.

-Geeta

"R. Geeta" > wrote

> Well, more recently Lycopersicon has been melded into
Solanum. I could get
> you references, but looking up L Bohs, R Olmstead or D
Spooner should
> help.

Well at least the Chinese were able to sort it out.
Apparently quite a long time ago, too.
;-)

--
Bob
Kanyak's Doghouse
http://www.kanyak.com

>
>> Not quite. Eggplants and tomatoes are members of the Solanaceae family.
>> Lycopersicon (which includes only tomatoes) is a separate genus within the
>> family. This been debated for years and, alas, not all botanists agree (can
>you
>> imagine that?). Many botany books have it wrong.
>>
>> See Charles Rick, "Biosystematic Studies in Lycopersicon and Closely
>Related
>> Species of Solanum," in J. G. Hawkes, R. N. Lester, and A. D. Skelding,
>eds.,
>> The Biology and Taxonomy of the Solanaceae (London: Academic Press, 1979),
>> 667-77, and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
>
>Well, more recently Lycopersicon has been melded into Solanum. I could get
>you references, but looking up L Bohs, R Olmstead or D Spooner should
>help.
>

It is true that recent systematics studies have suggested that Lycopersicon
should lose its genus status, but to the best of my knowledge, to the best on
my knowledge, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (2000 is the
most recent I have-- is there a more recent version?) has not been changed.
Until it is, it will continue to be correctly listed as a genus.

And I doubt that it will be changed, regardless of systematic studies. My
reasons have nothing to do with DNA analysis and everything to do with the
potential economic consequences of the change.

Andy Smith