A Review of Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Genus Lycopersicon

Abstract

Abstract The most recent complete treatments of the genus Lycopersicon were by Muller (17) in 1940 and Luckwill (14) in 1943—these monographs being the first thorough studies since Dunal's (10) treatment in 1852. Muller listed six species for the genus at that time, and three varieties, and three forms within four of these (Table 1). Luckwill (14) was in the course of preparation of his monograph when Muller (17) published his, and, as he indicated, Muller did much to clear up the taxonomic chaos. Luckwill essentially followed Muller in his subgeneric divisions and species treatment, except that Luckwill recognized a seventh species, L. pissisi Phil. (Table 2). In addition, Luckwill attempted to classify, as he indicated, the numerous subspecific and varietal forms, particularly those within L. esculentum Mill. and L. peruvianum (L) Mill., an exercise that Muller avoided.