Figure 1. Classification
Domain                Eukarya                    cells contain membrane-bound nucleus enclosing     
                                                             DNA and many organelles 4

Kingdom              Plante                      photosynthesis; uni- or multicellular; cellulose walls;
                                                            lack movement 4

Phylum             Angiosperm               flowering plants; contain fruit; classified into monocot 
                                                            and dicot; xylem vessels; sieve elements and 
                                                            companion cells; double fertilization; ovules enclosed 
                                                            in a carpel; stamens with two pairs of pollen sacs 4,5,11

Class                    Eudicot                   two cotyledons; veins are netlike in leaves; vascular
                                                            tissue arranged in a ring; taproot; pollen grain with 3 
                                                            openings; floral organs in multiples of 4 or 5 4

Order                   Solanales                 cellular endosperm; internal phloem 9

Family                  Solanaceae              leaves are alternate; pollinated by insects; anthers 10

Genus                  Solanum                  poisonous alkaloids may be present, perfect 
                                                            flowers 4,10

Species               Solanum                   the tomato: usually found in temperate climates,
                            lycopersicum           typically used as a food with defining characteristics 1,5














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Tomatoes are antioxidants which lower the risk of heart disease!
Figure 2. outlines the phylogeny of the genus Solanum and shows the close relationships of the cousins to the tomato, which include potatoes, tobacco, chili peppers, and aubergine. The closer the species is to the tomato represents the how many characteristics are shared. For example, the tomato and the potato are derived from a very close ancestor, showing they are very similar species. Whereas coffee and tomato only share a very distant ancestor, which allows for further adaptations and mutations in each species. Figure 2 is based on the morphological characteristics of the species listed.
Figure 2. Close Relatives of the Tomato
 
 
Classification:
 
In the kingdom of plants, the tomato is part of the angiosperms, with the fruit being the tomato. As a eudicot, the leaves have net-like veins with floral organs in multiples of four or five. It is further classified into the order solanales and is part of the Solanaceae or nightshade family, which refers to the dark colored poisonous berries of other organisms in this family. A summary of the classification of the tomato is found in Figure 1.
Check out these other organisms that are closely related to the tomato!
Prunus cerasus (sour cherry)
 
Question or Comments? Feel free to contact me at scheel.chlo@students.uwlax.edu.
Site designed by Chloe Scheel, Last updated April 2009.
 
Seeing how the tomato is classified within the genus Solanum, Figure 3 traces the tomato back the Kingdom Plantae.   As seen in Figure 3, the phylogenetic tree is broken down by physical features of each plant.
Figure 3. Taxonomic Tree of the Plant Kingdom.
The tomato did not originate in the United States. Ever wonder how it made it to U.S.? Or even here in La Crosse, Wisconsin? Check out the history of the tomato!