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Interestingly, the confusing terminology extended beyond language—early records sometimes referenced tomatoes and tomatillos interchangeably, despite belonging to separate plant groups. The Aztec words for these fruits—jitomate and meltamato—both derived from a root meaning "round" and "plump," which added to the confusion.
The Poison Apple Myth and Its Roots
American historians and botanists initially believed the tomato might be poisonous because of its family ties to nightshade plants. The plant’s smell and appearance did little to dispel this myth. More credibly, some believe that certain tomato varieties may have been toxic or inedible, but these were likely outdated or misidentified strains.