History

• Tomatoes are native to America but were originally only grown for their ornamental value, as the fruits were considered poisonous. Tomatoes grow wild in the Andes and were taken back to Europe by medieval explorers. The Italians were the first to begin eating tomatoes and by the middle of the 18th century tomatoes were extensively grown for food in Italy.
  
  

Types

• Home-grown tomatoes are far more tasty than those from supermarkets.Yellow cherry tomatoes & red plum tomatoes. Diversity image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  There are two types of tomato plants. Determinate tomatoes form a flower cluster at a terminal growing point and will then only grow laterally. Indeterminate tomato plants do not set terminal flower clusters and will continue growing in height indefinitely. The different varieties of tomato plant range from dwarf or patio shrubs to cherry, beefsteak or salad varieties, and tomato colors can vary immensely too.
  
  

Toxicity

• Tomato plants are a member of the nightshade family and are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Signs of poisoning include hypersalivation, diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset, weakness and dilated pupils.