590 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



Geographical. — All the species in this genus are natives of South America. 

 Dunal, in DeCandoUe's Prodromus, gives lo species of Lycopersicum; this 

 number is reduced, however, by some writers. Tomatoes are warm season 

 "vegetables" that require transplanting in central and northern latitudes. 



Important Species and Varieties,^ — There is a difference of 

 opinion whether to consider certain forniis of tomatoes 

 species or only varieties. For example, Bailey recognized 



Fig. 240. — Cross-section of mature fruit of cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon 



esculentum) . 



but two cultivated species of Lycopersicum: L. esculentum, 

 the common tomato, and L. pimpinellifolium, the currant 

 tomato. L. esculentum is, according to Bailey, divided into 

 the following varieties : 



1. L. esculentum var. vulgare, garden tomato. 



2. L. esculentum var. cerasiforme, cherry tomato. 



3. L. esculentum var. pyriforme, pear or plum tomato. 



4. L. esculentum var. validum, upright tomato. 



5. L. esculentum var. grandifolium, large leaf tomato. 



L. pimpinellifolium is not subdivided. On the other hand, 

 Tracy regards as distinct species: L. pimpinellifolium, L. 



