SC - Poisonous Tomatoes?

[Trierarch at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/25/00 9:54:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, ddfr at best.com 
writes:

<< 
 In any case, I don't think one can argue that something was 
 considered poisonous just because you can't find anyone saying that 
 it isn't. People in this thread seem to be accepting what is, so far, 
 an undocumented assertion as fact and arguing from it. It might be 
 true, but I would like some evidence. So far the only period 
 references--to 16th c. usage in Italy, and Gerard early in the 17th 
 century, provide no support at all for the idea that tomatoes were 
 considered poisonous. >>

    I Agree.  The situation regarding Historical reference to the Tomato 
being poisonous appears to be difficult.  Most references I have come across 
all state "considered poisonous" probably due to its association with know 
poisonous plants.  One such reference follows (1).  The Tomato does have some 
poisonous properties with the primary poison being identified (in modern 
times) as:  So·la·nine (sl-nn, -nn) also so·la·nin (-nn). n. A bitter 
poisonous alkaloid, C45H73NO15, derived from potato sprouts, tomatoes, and 
nightshade and having narcotic properties formerly used to treat 
epilepsy.[French from Latin slnum, nightshade, from sl, sun; see swel- in 
Indo-European Roots.]   I am very hopeful that someone will  locate a 
definite historical, hard reference to the known poisonous characteristic of 
the Tomato.  

1. "The tomato originated in the Andean region of South America, mainly 
Ecuador and Peru, but its domestication took place in Mexico and Central 
America. There may have been more than one centre of origin in the eastern 
Andes (Ricke and Holle, 1990). It is suggested that Columbus returned with 
tomatoes to Europe where they were first grown for ornamental purposes; 
however, through the exploits of Drake, Raleigh and others and the long years 
of buccaneering and piracy in the so-called Spanish Main, many Central and 
South American plants including the Canna, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers, Tagetes, 
Yucca, potato, tobacco and the tomato were cultivated in Europe during the 
sixteenth century. The actual means by which they were introduced remain 
uncertain. Initially they were grown in Europe as ornamental plants because 
the fruit was considered poisonous as the tomato belongs to the plant family 
Solonaceae and included in this family is the Deadly Nightshade. In fact the 
tomato was named Mala Insana or the unwholesome fruit by Europeans. It was 
also called the Love Apple. We should thank the Italians for first embracing 
the tomato and introducing it into their culture."

Alberta Botanical Library: Tomato

Thanks

Donegal Arias Massalla

R. N. Parker, PhD 
U.S.J.D. S.D. CA
Stolen Antiquities Div.