Potatoes Evolved from Tomatoes in a 9 Million-Year-Old Genetic Mix
TL;DR Summary
Scientists have discovered that the modern potato originated from hybridization between ancestors of tomato plants and a potato-like plant called etuberosum in South America around 9 million years ago, leading to the development of the petota lineage which includes cultivated and wild potato species.
- Where did the potato come from? Tomatoes, 9 million years ago, apparently. The Washington Post
- ‘This wasn’t obvious’: the potato evolved from a tomato ancestor, researchers find The Guardian
- Scientists finally know where potatoes come from—and the answer is very weird National Geographic
- Tomatoes randomly mated with another plant 9 million years ago. The result? Potatoes. Live Science
- Potatoes Evolved From … Tomatoes? The Atlantic
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