Greek lykos — wolf, persikon — peach, possibly inferring that it is inferior to the peach, or to possible poisonous properties.

Aromatic perennial herbs with glandular hairs. Leaves alternate, stalked, pinnate or lobed, the leaflets entire or lobed. Flower clusters mostly lateral. Flowers bisexual, regular, with articulated stalks. Corolla star-like, 5- lobed, yellow. Stamens 5, equal, attached to the throat, anthers with a conical appendage. Ovary 2-9- chambered. Fruit a berry with numerous seeds.

A genus doubtfully distinct from Solanum but currently retained here in the interests of stability of names.

Seed, occasionally by grafting.

The cultivated tomato is an important food crop worldwide.

Differs from Solanum in having anthers with appendages.

About 10 species native to western South America and the Galapagos Islands.

C.H. Muller (1940), Luckwill (1943), Rick (1978), Symon (1981a).

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Solanaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.