New botanical name of tomato

A fascinating topic!

The botanical name of the tomato has been a subject of debate and controversy for many years. The tomato is a fruit that belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and was originally classified as Solanum lycopersicum.

However, in 2014, the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) officially changed the botanical name of the tomato to Solanum pimpinellifolium. This change was made to reflect the fact that the tomato is actually a subspecies of Solanum pimpinellifolium, rather than a distinct species.

Solanum pimpinellifolium is a wild tomato species that is native to South America, and it is thought to be the ancestor of the domesticated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The new name is intended to reflect the tomato's evolutionary history and its relationship to other Solanum species.

It's worth noting that the change in botanical name has not been universally adopted, and many botanists and horticulturists still refer to the tomato as Solanum lycopersicum. However, the ICN's decision is widely recognized and respected in the scientific community.

So, to summarize: the new botanical name of the tomato is Solanum pimpinellifolium, but you may still see it referred to as Solanum lycopersicum in many contexts!