52-million-year-old relative of potatoes and tomatoes discovered in Patagonia It's older than the An

[Judi Lynn]

52-million-year-old relative of potatoes and tomatoes discovered in Patagonia
It's older than the Andes.
FIONA MACDONALD 9 JAN 2017





Researchers have discovered two fossils in South America of a fruit that dates back to around 52 million years ago.

The fossils could be the key to understanding how some of the most common plants today - including potatoes and tomatoes - evolved. And it turns out their genetic history might be a whole lot older than we thought.

The fossilised fruit is a berry that belongs to the Solanaceae (or nightshade) family of plants, which includes popular species such as potatoes, tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, and tobacco.

Despite how ubiquitous these plants are today all across the globe, their early history has remained mysterious, with only a few seeds found in the fossil record. So until now, we had no idea where they came from, or when.

More:
http://www.sciencealert.com/52-million-year-old-relative-of-potatoes-and-tomatoes-discovered-in-patagonia

[DFW]

1. I can't see what's inside the dried leaves

But it looks like what Germans today call Physalis. They are a tart, slightly bitter fruit, in size slightly smaller than a cherry.

They are an expensive delicacy in Germany, but in the Andes, my breakfast table was piled high with them, as if they were the common form of edible plant there was.

[MatthewStLouis]

2. Interesting.

This plant looks similar to the Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi). Growing up in Southwest Missouri, I always thought the whole plant was poisonous. But, apparently, the berry is edible. Cool!

P.S. As a warning, I just found this as well: "The leaves and immature berries are also poisonous, so they should not be grown where they might endanger small children." (http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-chinese-lantern-flower-bloom-96591.html)

[mainer]

3. Chinese lanterns look like tomatillo plants

Maybe related to tomatoes after all?

[Nay]

11. Those do look like Chinese lantern husks, for sure. nt

[burrowowl]

4. K&R

Fascinating!

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. beats the oldest heirloom in my collection, that's for sure!

My oldest tomato probably traces back to the 1880. Which is still pretty cool. But - wow!

[LeftishBrit]

7. Thought of you and your tomatoes when I saw the thread title!

How is everything going?

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. Going fine, thanks - hope all is well with you too!

Gearing up in a big way - working on my third book, getting ready to start a busy year of travel and talks, garden planning - the election outcome (and all since then politically) is what has me down these days...life aside from that is just fine.

[lunatica]

6. they look like the tomatillo or small green tomato sleeve-like cover

The tomatillo has a crisp gauze like covering that you peel back to get to the tomato

[Bohunk68]

9. Exactly what I thought when I saw them.

When we had a greenhouse business, we used to sell tomatillo starters. Had several regular customers for them. Even would get some folks who had driven for miles because they heard that we had them.

[lunatica]

10. It's my favorite tomato for a great green sauce to cook in